AK Material Handling Blog | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Material Handling Specialists

Industrial Warehouse Space Planning

2012-02-09T16:32:00.011-06:00

Top 10 Reasons Why a Professional is Needed When Laying Out Your Warehouse, David Letterman Style...

10. Drawings can help you get your permit with the city

9. Mistakes we can help you avoid that critical mistake

8. Rack Options different pallet rack options can show you how to maximize each warehouse space to the fullest

7. Forklift Options knowing all of your forklift options can give you many options when it comes to layout and pallet storage capacity.

6. Efficiency a warehouse professional understands needs for adequate dock space, staging,
etc.
5. Responsiveness a true professional gets the information you need when you need it

4. Budgeting get realistic budget costs for your project

3. Comparisons can offer multiple layouts for each of your real estate options

2. Unbiased advice we never push any one manufacturer, we explore all options to fit your needs

1. Experience enough said! (numbers 2 through 10)

Posted By:

Senior Warehouse Design Specialist Brian Koski

Author of "Industrial Warehouse Space Planning"
18+ Years of Experience

Click Here learn more about our Pallet Rack Systems

Click Here learn more about our Warehouse Design

High Density Rack Systems and Real Estate Decisions

2012-01-12T07:18:00.008-06:00

High density pallet rack systems have proven to increase storage capacity from 10% to up to 60% over conventional selective pallet rack. So one would assume huge potential savings in how much warehouse space that you need, right? But, there are a number of considerations before jumping into any of these types of high density rack systems. Each type has it’s pros and cons.

First, let review the terminology used in evaluating high density pallet rack systems.

Selectivity- The ability to access any given pallet in a system. In other words, if you have to move another pallet to reach the one you want, you do not have 100% selectivity. Single Deep Selective rack has 100% selectivity.
Utilization- This is the ratio of actual pallets stored by the total number of spaces allowed to store the product.
Floor Density- calculating storage percentage based on square footage alone
Cubic Density- calculating storage percentage in cubic feet
LIFO- Last in, First Out
FIFO- First in, First Out
Average Lot Size- The average of number of pallets per SKU

Next, let’s list the types of high density pallet rack systems (non-automated) and the ranges of number of pallets deep that they can store

Double Deep Selective (2 deep)
VNA Selective Pallet Rack (single deep)
Pushback Pallet Rack (2 deep to 6 deep)
Pallet Flow Rack (2 deep to 20+)
Drive-in Rack (2 deep to 12+ deep)

So the elephant in the room is the question “Which one, if any is right for me?” The answer lies in a number of factors: budget, square footage savings, real estate costs, moving costs, operations costs for each type, forklift decisions, forklift compatibility, throughput, lot sizes, and FIFO requirements. Putting too much emphasis on storage density can be a crippling mistake if the product mix does not fit the rack system. Together, a user and an experienced rack professional can narrow down the choices to make an operation as efficient as possible and possibly reduce warehouse space needs. If you are interested in a high density rack system and would like to speak with a racking specialists call us @ 800-722-5908 or Fill out a Contact Us Form.

Posted By:

Senior Warehouse Design Specialist Brian Koski

Click Here learn more about our pallet rack systems

Warehouse Safety Tip: Pallet Rack Inspections

2012-01-10T08:30:00.013-06:00

Preventative maintenance is most likely performed on all machinery and equipment in your warehouse or distribution center. However, likely the largest system in your warehouse got overlooked: Your Rack System! We recommend inspecting your warehouse pallet racking at least once a year and we also recommend it be performed by a warehouse rack expert. Below is a list of some items that should always be watched by your warehouse associates:

• Anchors in the uprights and any column protectors

• All safety clips on beams

• Footplates on uprights

• Deflection on beams

• Dents on upright column

• Dents on the beams

• All accessories and/or hardware

Are you interested in a Warehouse Safety Walk-Through? Call 800-722-5908 or Contact Us

Posted by:

Storage and Layout Specialist Pete Brandon

Google+

2011-12-28T08:54:00.011-06:00

Are you on Google+? If so lets connect... and if not here are three reasons why we recommend signing up and why we would love to connect with you and your business.

The number one reason why you should join the Google+ community is simply because Google+ is Google's social network. Now let me re-phrase that...Google+ is the social community for the largest internet search company in the world. Do you care about how you rank on Google? How would you like to recommend your site so that it would pop up in search results ahead of your competitors when your customers, friends or family search for products? EXACTLY... Google+ allows you to recommend all of your company web pages and allows you to +1 all other sites you think would be valuable to your circles.

Google+ is growing FAST! Google+ continues to put up record numbers in growth when compared to other social media websites.

Share and distribute your valuable information. Google+ allows you to share your new blog posts, cool web pages, photos and all of your other valuable information. When you create a Google+ brand / company page you can step up on your competition and be a leader in your industry by providing good quality information. Add AK to your circle today and stay up to date on the most current material handling news and product info and in return we will help share your information and product news.

Check out our Google+ Company Page: AK Material Handling Systems

Sign Up Today for Google+

A Mezzanine Minute...

2011-12-21T14:43:00.012-06:00

Optimizing Your Access Points

When planning and laying out your warehouse mezzanine it is important to consider your personnel access points and material flow. First, let's consider the access and egress points for people. Depending upon your local codes and intended usage of your mezzanine, you may need two points of egress (emergency) exiting. Conventional stairs are normally used but you may have another exit if you are adding on or adjoining to another floor or mezzanine level. Planning for the stairs can require for some creativity. The basic standard set up for stairs are straight welded stairs with or with out a landing. Landings are required if you are turning right or left at the top of the stairs. There are numerous options for stairs to make them fit into those tight areas or to maximize your space and optimize your mezzanine. Intermediate landings with turns, L shaped, U shaped, or stacking stairs can all be possibilities. Also, stairs can be inside or outside of the mezzanine perimeter. It is also important to remember that stairs are often longer than most people think due to building code requirements. You can choose from the following style of stairs

Welded Stairs
Our welded mezzanine stairs can fit your existing, new, or free standing mezzanine. If you are looking for a simple standard access point to your mezzanine the standard welded stair option is your answer. We can also add a custom platform to the top of the stairs to meet existing requirements. The standard width for the welded stair structure measures 36”. These stairs are available in open bar grate or closed diamond plate treads.

Knock-Down Stairs
Our knock-down stair systems offers a high quality, code compliant, industrial solution for you access point. With the standard width at 36” and heights ranging from 3’ to 12’ our knock-down stairs Meet OSHA 1910.24 Safety Requirements. These knock down industrial stair options are offered in Straight, L , or U shaped designs. Knock-Down stairs are typically used on mezzanine systems with limited space for installation.

*Note: Any staircase over 12' requires an intermediate landing.

On the Next Mezzanine Minute... Considering Material Flow When Designing Your Mezzanine

AK Material Handling Systems is a mezzanine systems provider located in Maple Grove, MN working on mezzanine and warehouse systems across the United States. If you are interested in pricing or more information on industrial mezzanines call 800-722-5908 or contact us.

Take a Tour of Our Warehouse

2011-12-20T07:16:00.003-06:00

When purchasing new or used pallet rack it is always important to see and view the product before purchasing. Here at AK we always welcome our clients to visit our warehouse facility to view our products and operations. If our clients are out of state or can not view the products in person we offer HD pictures and videos. Below is a brief video tour of our warehouse facility which is now located at 8630 Monticello Lane in Maple Grove, MN. Check it out and let us know if we can help you out with your next New or Used Pallet Racking project.

Economical Cost Savings Mezzanine

2011-12-09T07:27:00.006-06:00

Are you looking for a cost effective way to increase your pick locations as your company grows?

Scenario: You currently have 6,000 square feet designated for your carton flow storage racks and order picking. Operations are going well and your customers are happy until one of your clients demands 6000 more square feet for more pick locations. You quickly realize buying or leasing more space is not an option.

Solution: Installing a rack supported two level pick mezzanine which allows you to almost double your existing pick locations with out purchasing or leasing any more space. You would utilize your existing carton flow racks on the mezzanine above and then you would install a new carton flow pick system into the racks below.

If you are interested in learning more about our mezzanines or carton flow storage racks call 800-722-5908 or visit us on the web http://www.akequipment.com/mezzanine.html

By: Senior Warehouse Design Specialist Jerry Fredrickson

What is a VRC?

2011-12-02T12:15:00.006-06:00

The technical name for a VRC is a Vertical Reciprocating Conveyor. Sounds complicated right? Well, it's just a complicated name for an industrial material lift similar to an an elevator. The key difference is that passengers are not allowed to ride on VRC's.

VRC's are mainly found in industrial applications where a lift is needed to transport materials up to mezzanine levels or down basement levels. When you have frequent material to transfer from level to level, the safest and most efficient way is to use a VRC.

VRC’s can be sized for just about any type of application. Weight capacities range from 100 pounds to 30,000 pounds. The sizes of the platforms range from tote size up to 12’ x 30’ long.

VRC’s are much more cost effective in comparison to standard elevators and also VRC's require less permitting.

Here are some of the most common names for a VRC lift: Vertical Reciprocating Conveyor (VRCs), Vertical Conveyor, Material Lift, Freight Lift, Custom Lift, Vertical Lift, Mezzanine Lift, Modular Lift, Mechanical Lift, Hydraulic Lift, Freight Elevator, Continuous Lift, Industrial Lift, Continuous and Vertical Conveyor just to name a few.

In general, VRC’s should be considered any time you have vertical material transfer taking place by people or forklifts. Your safety department will thank you for it. If you are interested in pricing or more information on Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors call 800-722-5908 or CONTACT US.

By: Senior Warehouse Design Specialist Brian Koski

Increase Space with Ridgurak Double Deep Pallet Racks

2011-11-23T15:22:00.004-06:00

First, let’s clarify the terminology. We are going to explain double deep selective rack. Technically, double deep pallet rack could be done with push back rack or drive-in pallet rack. But, those types of rack are for another discussion.

Double deep selective pallet rack is simply “squeezing” the standard pallet rack rows together to eliminate aisles. The pallets are now stored two deep.

So how do your reach into the rack for storage and retrieval of the pallets?
The answer: double deep reach trucks. These forklifts are modified version of the standard narrow aisle reach truck that operates in 8’ to 9’ typical aisle widths.

In general, up to a 40% increase in pallet positions can obtained. Warehouses that have high throughput will consider double deep rack as a good option as it offers good selectivity and high density storage. In addition, since standard pallet rack is used, the rack is relatively inexpensive for high density storage. The cost drawback is in the specialized forklift.

In summary, warehouses with multiple pallets per SKU should always at least consider the benefits of double deep selective rack. For more information on double deep pallet rack or for a quote call 800-722-5908 or Contact Us.

By: Senior Warehouse Design Specialist Brian Koski

Looking for Paltier Style Industrial Racking?

2011-11-15T07:11:00.004-06:00

As many of you may know the original Paltier manufacturer has been out of business for some time. Paltier style industrial racks are still found in many warehouses across the United States leaving those warehouse managers scrambling to find compatible racking. While there is some used Paltier inventory available, parts are very limited giving the warehouse manager few choices. That is where we come to the rescue. We now offer a solution that is compatible with the original Paltier rack system. We can have NEW powder-coated Paltier style pallet rack delivered to your warehouse. Our rack designs come complete with standard manufacturer warranties and engineered capacities. If you are looking for Paltier style racking please call 800-722-5908 or fill out a Paltier Style Request form.

Thank You Veterans!

2011-11-11T10:21:00.004-06:00

Today November 11, 2011, we want to take a moment to remember and thank all of the brave men and women of our armed services, who serve and have faithfully served our country. Two simple words are not enough to show our gratitude, but we truly mean it when we say “Thank You” for everything you have done for our country. At AK, would we would also like to take this time to publicly thank two veterans of our own: Vietnam Veteran Bill Koski and US Army Military Police Veteran Tiege Quinn. Thank you both for your service in the armed forces, and we are very grateful to have you on our team!

AK's J&L Wire Deck Quick Ship Continues to Expand...

2011-11-03T08:22:00.007-05:00

We recently added more sizes to our J&L Wire Deck Quick Ship Program. We are now offering the following pallet rack wire decks for quick ship. *new sizes in bold

24 x 46 Galvanized 2500# Capacity Wire Deck w/ 3 Universal Flare Channels
24 x 58 Galvanized 2500# Capacity Wire Deck w/ 4 Universal Flare Channels
24 x 58 Galvanized 2500# Capacity Wire Deck w/ 4 Standard Channels
30 x 46 Galvanized 2500# Capacity Wire Deck w/ 3 Standard Channels
36 x 46 Galvanized 4493# Capacity Wire Deck w/ 3 Standard Channels
36 x 46 Galvanized 2500# Capacity Wire Deck w/ 3 Universal Flare Channels
36 x 52 Galvanized 3900# Capacity Wire Deck w/ 3 Standard Channels
42 x 46 Galvanized 2500# Capacity Wire Deck w/ 3 Universal Flare Channels
42 x 46 Galvanized 2900# Capacity Wire Deck w/ 3 Standard Channels
42 x 52 Galvanized 2957# Capacity Wire Deck w/ 3 Standard Channels
42 x 58 Galvanized 3000# Capacity Wire Deck w/ 4 Standard Channels
44 x 46 Galvanized 2900# Capacity Wire Deck w/ 3 Standard Channels
48 x 46 Galvanized 2500# Capacity Wire Deck w/ 3 Universal Flare Channels
48 x 46 Galvanized 3064# Capacity Wire Deck w/ 4 Standard Channels
48 x 52 Galvanized 3064# Capacity Wire Deck w/ 4 Standard Channels
48 x 58 Galvanized 3000# Capacity Wire Deck w/ 4 Standard Channels

JL Wire Deck Quot e

We also offer custom size wire decks made to exactly fit your pallet racking that can be manufactured with lead times as soon as 2 weeks. Visit our Pallet Rack Wire Decking page to learn more about our J&L wire decks.

Product Spotlight: Loss Prevention Pallet Rack Security Cage

2011-10-21T09:09:00.003-05:00

Secure & Protect

With 8- gauge galvanized welded wire our heavy duty pallet rack security systems will help you increase both safety and security in your warehouse. Our rack security systems are custom designed to fit the exact bay or area you are looking to secure. With pre-punched components installation is quick and easy. Complete with sliding doors, your product is protected although very accessible. If you would like pricing or more information on our Loss Prevention Pallet Rack Security Cage System use our Contact Us Form or Call 800-722-5908.

A Warehouse Safety Minute...

2011-10-18T12:26:00.007-05:00

One easy way to increase safety in your warehouse is to maximize fall protection on your pallet racks. The easiest way to ensure product fall protection is to install a pallet rack safety net system. Although safety netting mainly works on the back side of the rack systems, it is still the most effective way of protecting everyone in your warehouse from falling products.

Below are a couple quick ways to increase safety and provide fall protection on your rack system:
- Make sure that your pallet loads are stacked straight and evenly through out the pallet rack.
- It is good practice to store all of your heavier odd size pallets near the ground in low traffic areas.

Hopefully your warehouse is that much safer and this Warehouse Safety Minute was worth your time. If you are interested in a pallet rack safety net system, call 800-722-5908 or use our Contact Us Form.

Oldies but Goodies - Our Top 5 Blogs

2011-10-11T07:18:00.003-05:00

Believe it or not, we have been blogging since May of 2009. In that time, we've written over 113 blogs on everything from our pallet rack guides to pallet rack deer stands found in northern Minnesota. So looking back, we realized that we've written some very helpful blogs and articles, and it would benefit you if we made a Top 5 List of our most visited blog posts to date. So below you will find our Top 5 Most Viewed Blog Posts from AK Material Handling Systems. Enjoy.

1. Turning Floor Space into Vertical Cantilever Storage

2. The Value of a Pallet Rack "Pallet Stop Beam"

3. Pallet Rack Capacity

4. 10 Things to Consider Before You Buy Industrial Pallet Racks

5. Warehouse Space Planning & Design: Video Blog #3

Pallet Rack Guide: Pallet Rack Components

2011-09-27T09:33:00.015-05:00

Are you interested in putting pallet rack up in your warehouse but do not know where to begin? We created the list below to help you understand the basics components of a pallet rack system. Click here for a pallet rack quote.

Cross Beam - Our pallet rack cross beams consist of beam tube cut to a specific size with welded connector ears on each end. Two cross beams create one beam level in a rack system.

Upright Frame - Our pallet rack uprights consist of two frame columns connected together by steel channels that are welded into place. The steel channels are cut at different sizes determining the depth of the upright frame and rack system. A starter bay of pallet rack storage consists of two upright frames that are connected by a minimum of two cross beam levels.

Wire Mesh Deck - Wire decks are made of welded wire that rest on the pallet cross beams creating a shelf for added protection from falling pallets or products. Most wire decks have support channels welded on the bottom of the wire for increased load support capacity.

Safety Bar - Pallet rack safety bars are used in pallet rack for added pallet fall protection. Safety bars connect from the front to the back of the cross beams.

Corrugated Decking - Corrugated Decks are used on pallet rack to create a shelf level flush with the beam for smooth product load and unload.

Solid Decking - Solid Decks are used on rack systems to create a solid shelf on a cross beam

level.

Upright Frame Column Guard - Column guards are anchored to the floor or bolted to the front of the pallet rack upright frame protecting it from forklift damage.

Bolt On or Welded Angle Deflector - Angle Deflectors are design to deflect impact and are placed on upright frames in areas susceptible to damage.

M Divider - M Dividers are commonly used in racks storing wood and other vertical storing products. M dividers divide product that is being stored upright in a rack system.

Drum Coil Bed - Drum Coil Beds are designed to fit on pallet rack systems and store drums safely and efficiently.

Fork Entry Bar - Fork Entry Bars are designed to fit on pallet rack systems allowing forklifts to enter under the products being stored on top of the fork entry bar.

Row Spacer - Row spacers are used in a flue space between the uprights to stabilize the rack system or provide clearance for building columns or other obstacles. Row spacers bolt onto each upright and connect the uprights together.

Wall Tie - A pallet rack wall tie is used to connect the rack system to the wall behind the racking. The wall ties connect to the upright frame with nuts and bolts.

Frame Floor Guard - Floor Guards are used in rack systems to mainly protect the outside end of aisle frames on a rack system. Floor guards run along the outside of the upright and wrap around in front maximizing protection in high traffic areas.

Row End Protectors - Row end protectors are used on rack systems with high traffic aisles. The row end protectors are placed on the end of aisle frames at specific heights offering added protection for the uprights from pallet and forklift damage.

Splice Channel - Frame splice channels are used on upright frames to add height on to an existing upright frame when additional levels need to be added. Engineering approval may be required to confirm the base frame capacity is not exceeded.

Safety Netting - Safety Netting Is made of a nylon or plastic mesh placed on the back of rack systems for increased safety and fall protection.

Safety Beam Clips - Safety beam clips are found on pallet rack cross beams. These clips create a safety connection between the upright frame and the cross beam. The most common style of a pallet rack clip is the universal safety drop pin.

Cement Frame Anchor - Anchors connect the pallet rack uprights to the cement floor and are recommended on almost ALL rack systems.

Shim - When installing a pallet rack system on an uneven floor, shims are used under the uprights to ensure the pallet rack is plumb or straight.

5 Reasons Why Mezzanines Make Sense

2011-09-21T07:28:00.004-05:00

Interested in maximizing your current space? The list below is our 5 Reasons why industrial mezzanines systems make sense.

1. Look Up. You likely have wasted vertical space over these areas: shipping, offices, manufacturing, and picking.
2. Tax Benefit. Mezzanines are considered to be de-mountable which benefits you because this allows your mezzanine to be depreciated as equipment vs the mezzanine being classified as an addition to your building.
3. Energy Savings. You are already heating and cooling that space so maximize it!
4. Flexibility. Our mezzanines meet national and local codes and are also designed to specifically meet your space and size requirements.
5. Speed. Typically you can have a mezzanines professionally installed and standing in 5 weeks.

If you are looking for more information on industrial mezzanines fill out a Mezzanine Form or to speak with a mezzanine specialist call 800-722-5908.

Also visit our Mezzanine Page

AK Material Handling Receives Industry MVP Award

2011-09-09T15:40:00.009-05:00

AK Material Handling Systems recently achieved the 2011 MVP (Most Valuable Partner) Award from MHEDA. MHEDA is the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association which is the only trade association dedicated to soley improving the proficiency of the independent material handling equipment distributor. Established in 1954 MHEDA has been led by hundreds of volunteer directors, all working to make MHEDA a solid, growing national trade association with a mission to be the best resource for services and information for all material handling companies.

MHEDA.org defines the MVP Award as a Member who demonstrates a commitment to business excellence, professionalism and good stewardship. In order to receive the MVP status AK Material Handling recently had to meet the eligibility criteria and satisfy the minimum requirements in each of the following areas of excellence:
Industry Relations - working for the good of the industry
Customer Relations - demonstrating ethical and superior business practices
Peer-to-Peer Networking - providing innovative solutions by learning from the best in the industry
Education - well trained employees are an investment in your customers' success
Best Practices - experience is often the best teacher and your customers deserve to work with a company that is willing to hold themselves up to the best in the business.

The MHEDA MVP Award is very meaningful to our company and we are very honored to be apart of the MVP Program.

If you are interested in learning more about the MVP Program from MHEDA visit: MHEDA MVP

Warehouse Design Tip: Measuring for Pallet Rack Components

2011-09-02T07:34:00.014-05:00

Are you tired of drawing out every single run of pallet rack trying to figure out how many parts of pallet rack you are going to need?

At AK Material Handling Systems we use a formula that allows us to easily figure out how many pallet rack components are needed per project. See below:

Example 100’ Run of Racking

Find the desired beam length= 8’ (96”)

To find the number of sections that will fit in the 100’ run you will need to take 100’ x 12” = giving you 1200” of linear space. Then you divide 1200" by 99” (your beam length + 3”*) giving you 12.12 sections that would fit into 100’ so you round down to 12 sections.

* 3” is added to your beam length because each upright is 3” wide. The center to center measurement of each section is found by adding 1.5” per side of the beam. So for a 108” beam you would divide by your linear footage by 111”.

The next step is to figure out the desired beam levels per section. In this example we chose three beam levels (6 cross beams) per section. We multiply the 6 cross beams by the 12 sections of rack equaling 72 total beams needed for this run.

Use the total cross beam number to find the wire deck quantity. In this example 72 - 96” cross beams would need 72 wire mesh decks.

The upright frame count can be found by adding 1 to the total number of sections in your run. In this example the 12 sections would call for 13 upright frames.

To get the total linear footage of the rack you add 3” to your beam length because you are measuring the center to center of each section. Your 96” beam turns to 99” which is multiplied by your total sections - 99” x 12 = 1188”. Add a final 3” for the end uprights and your total linear footage is 1191” = 99’3” Outside to Outside of Racking.

Formula:
100' x 12" = 1200"
1200" / 99" = 12.12 + 1 = 13 Uprights
12 x 6 = 72 beams = 72 Decks
99" x 12 = 1188" + 3" = 1191" out to out

KEY:
Run Length
Beam Length + 3"
Total Bays
Number of Beam Levels
Number of Beams, Wire Decks and Upright Frames Needed.
3" is added at the end of the formula to make up for the end uprights.

We are always available to answer any warehouse layout and design questions visit us on the web@ . http://www.akequipment.com/warehouse_layout_design_MN.html

Pallet Rack Building Permits

2011-08-11T09:03:00.001-05:00

As many of you may already know, more and more cities are now requiring building permits for warehouse racking systems. Some possible factors or requirements for obtaining a building permit on your rack system may include:

Layout Drawings
Architects
Structural Calculations
Ergess Plan
Sprinkler Permits
Elevations
Capacities of your Rack System
Calculations for the Rack
Seismic Requirements
Slab Capacities
Inspections
Stamped Drawings

Sound confusing? Let us help. Call 800-22-5908 or Contact Us to speak with a warehouse rack and shelving expert today.

VBI Tennsco Steel Shelving Solutions

2011-07-22T09:33:00.008-05:00

As major stocking distributors of Tennsco steel shelving we stock three main style of shelving:

Z Line Rivet Shelving Offered in Two Styles:
Low Profile
The low profile Z Line option has a shelf range size of 12” - 48” front to back and of 12” - 48” right to left. Our low profile shelving is very popular in office storage room settings. The thin 1 1/2” cross supports offer space maximization while keeping capacity in the range of 500-800 lbs per shelf level.
Heavy Duty
The heavy duty Z Line shelving is perfect for your heavy duty warehouse storage needs. The sizes offered range from 24" to 96" wide and the cross supports are 2 3/4". Our Heavy Duty Shelving is great for storage of miscellaneous items, and items that need to be neatly organized. The capacity ranges between 1250-2250 lbs per shelf level.
Both of our Z Line shelving options are completed with 5/8” particle board shelving. Installation and assembly is quick, easy and can be done with simple instructions. The versatility of the Z Line shelving sets it apart from our other shelving units because you can design and re-design these shelving units as you need.
Q Line: Our Q Line shelving is a heavy duty steel shelving option with steel shelves and welded beam construction. The shelves attach with compression clips and can be adjusted on 1” centers. Our Q-Line shelving offers capacities that range from 450-750 lbs per level. Our stock sizes are: 18” x 36" & 18” x 48”, Medium Grey in color.
Bulk Storage: Our Tennsco Bulk Storage is the perfect solution for your hard to store BULK items. With a design similar to pallet rack the components equal: upright frames, cross beams and center supports. Our bulk storage is made complete with our 5/8” particle board shelving.

If you are looking for a quote on any of our steel shelving options use our request form.
Also Learn more about Each of the products here:
Z Line Heavy Duty Shelving
Z Line Low Profile Shelving
Q Line Shelving
Bulk Storage

Need to Sell Used Pallet Rack?

2011-07-15T11:16:00.004-05:00

Have you outgrown your building? Are you moving? Are you changing the way you store product?

AK Material Handling Systems has a proven track record of successful moves and specializes in warehouse relocation and space optimization. Our service includes appraising your pallet rack and or systems to maximize your return and purchase when you make your next move. With combined experience and resources, we can tear-down and purchase your old system as well as install your new warehouse while you are still in operation.

Not sure how to begin? Below we outlined the top ten items you need to get started.

Yes! AK Material Handling does buy used Pallet Rack.
Photos of material or request on-site visit
Pallet Rack Brand - use our Pallet Rack Guide
Material count and sizes, i.e.: (20) Frames 42” deep x 144” tall
Condition of material including damaged components
Confirm if a move will be required
Elect to tear-down rack or use qualified professional
Determine if new or replacement material required
Project Time-line
Decide if project management is required

Still have questions? Contact AK Material Handling Systems, speak with one of our rack experts and start your move today! #800-722-5908

Push-Back Pallet Racking 101

2011-07-08T08:56:00.011-05:00

What is Push Back?
WikiMheda.org defines Push Back Pallet Rack as: Utilizing wheels in the rack structure, a push back rack system allows palletized goods and materials to be stored by being pushed up a gently graded ramp. Stored materials are allowed to flow down the ramp to the aisle. This rack configuration allows for deep storage at each rack level and last-in, first-out (LIFO) storage.[1]
In push back rack systems pallets are placed on rolling carts, which slide from front of the rack to rear of the rack. As new pallets are loaded into the rack from the aisle side of the rack system, exiting pallets are pushed to the rear to make space. Push back racks utilize standard forklifts and provide a cost effective alternative when last-in, first-out (LIFO) inventory rotation is used. Pallets are typically stored two to six pallets deep providing more storage space with fewer aisles than conventional selective pallet rack. Push back racks allow greater selectivity than drive in racks, while providing excellent utilization of storage positions. (http://www.wikimheda.org/wiki/Push_back_rack)
Why Push-Back?
As budgets remain tight, proper space utilization becomes a must for all warehouses. Push back pallet rack increases the amount of pallets that can be stored and also offers more pick faces than typical high density systems. When a average number of pallets per part or product exceed five in quantity, push back systems become more justified. Push back pallet rack can offer 100% more storage that standard selective pallet rack and can also offer a solution to the honey comb effect of standard high density drive in pallet storage systems.
Below is a helpful tool we use to help our clients identify the correct system for their applications.

10 Things to Know about Push-Back Pallet Rack:
1- Compared to standard selective pallet rack many forklift operators think push back pallet rack is easier to load and unload.
2- Rack damage is minimized because lift trucks never enter the rack system.
3-Push back aisles usually only need to be 6" larger than your manufacturers' minimum aisle requirement.
4- Push back is a low maintenance pallet storage rack system.
5- Most standard forklifts can be used with a push back rack system.
6- Standard push back systems are designed to hold a max pallet weight of 3000 lbs but can be designed for heavy load ratings.
7- Standard GMA pallets are most commonly used in push back systems although systems can be designed to hold other styles and size pallets.
8- Push-back will require more height per level than selective rack- typically 6-8"
9- Hybrid systems are commonly used (i.e drive-in on floor level- push-back on the upper levels
10- Structural Rack is preferred and often required for push-back systems.

How Much Is Push-Back Pallet Rack?
COST COMPARISON
Standard Warehouse, $50./sq. ft.*
Solution A - 30,750 sq. ft. total
-> 2640 pallet positions of standard
racking
Solution B - 15,375 sq. ft. in total
-> 2628 pallet positions of push-back
racking
Solution C - 19,926 sq. ft. total
-> 2676 pallet positions, 300 in
standard rack, 1332 in push-back and 1044 in floor storage
*Freezer warehouse would average $100./sq. ft.
* Table and cost comparison information taken from Excel Storage Products Push back literature

If you would like more information visit our web page:
http://www.akequipment.com/palletrackpushback.html
Sources:
Excel Storage Products
Ridg-u-rak
Wikimheda.org

Warehouse Space Planning & Design: Series Summary

2011-06-23T16:20:00.004-05:00

Senior Design Specialist Brian Koski summarizes his video blog series "Warehouse Space Planning & Design".

Helpful Links:
Warehouse Design
Pallet Rack Systems
AK Material Handling Systems

How to Find the Best Solution for Your Warehouse

2011-06-15T08:36:00.006-05:00

Part # 2 Formulating Options for Your New Warehouse Layout with the RIGHT Data

Now that the data gathering is thoroughly completed, you can start formulating options for your new warehouse layout. You can begin to layout your pallet racking options because you know the exact clear height and the square footage available. You will be able to design your rack system around the specific details of your building including the column locations and other equipment you need to work around including a/c units, ceiling fans, electrical boxes etc. Aisle widths can also now be calculated because you have properly documented all of forklift and material handling equipment information needed.

Detailed product data can now help you determine if you can save valuable warehouse space by going to 2, 3 or 4 deep locations and what locations need to remain as single deep. Also by knowing your products pallet dimensions you are able to maximize space by figuring out how many pallets high you can successfully store. By previously discussing the shipping and receiving areas you can now design your warehouse around a solution that will be instrumental in how your product will be stored, picked and shipped. If your company does a lot of small orders or split case picking you can look at and compare the different shelving systems and carton flow racking to determine the best picking solution for your overall warehouse plan.

In summary all of this data gathering is vital to formalizing the best possible solutions for your company’s future efficient and cost saving operations. If you would like more information on warehouse design visit our Warehouse Layout & Design page or call 800-722-5908 for a free consultation with one of our Design Specialists.

By: Jerry Fredrickson Senior Design Specialist

Warehouse Space Planning & Design: Video Blog #5

2011-06-10T12:30:00.005-05:00

In the video below Senior Design Specialist Brian Koski shares his 5th and final tip to conclude his Warehouse Space Planning & Design Video Blog Series. For more information on warehouse space planning visit: Warehouse Design

How to Find the Best Solution for Your Warehouse

2011-06-01T14:29:00.005-05:00

Part # 1 Gathering and Documenting the RIGHT Information.

Before we start looking for the best solution for our clients, we always gather and document all data related to the activity in the warehouse and ask the following questions:

What are current product item or pallet sizes, weights and quantities being stored? Are there plans for future products?
What are the existing warehouse practices including the current racking, shelving, and forklifts being used?
How are current orders being processed, picked and shipped? What type of technology is utilized to pick orders? Are bar codes and scanners used? Is a WMS system present? Is there a separate packing or shipping area?
What size of aisle is required for the forklift to turn into and out of pallet rack bays? What is the capacity of the forklift? What is the height restrictions of the forklift?

In addition to the preceding questions, the layout area of the existing warehouse has to be determined by documenting the building column locations, ceiling height, bar joist clearance, doorways, dock door locations and any other objects that might interfere with any of the storage locations, (i.e. heaters, air conditioning units, sprinkler systems, electrical control boxes etc.).

Once the data gathering is thoroughly completed, the process of looking at the best solutions for your warehouse can begin. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series titled “ Warehouse Solutions” in which we will explain how we find the best warehouse solutions from the data gathered.

By: Jerry Fredrickson Senior Design Specialist

If you would like more information on warehouse design visit our Warehouse Layout & Design page or call 800-722-5908 for a free consultation with one of our Design Specialists.

Single Row Pallet Rack Height-To-Depth Ratio, Should I Be Concerned?

2011-04-29T14:08:00.005-05:00

Overturning of single row pallet racks is a concern when the height-to-depth ratio is over 6 to 1. The Rack Manufacturers Institute defines the height-to-depth ratio for a single row of pallet rack to be the ratio of the distance from the floor to the top beam level divided by the depth of the frame. For example:

The height of the top beam level is 180 inches (15'), and the depth is 42 inches (3' 6"). To determine the height-to depth ratio, divide 180 by 42 = 4.28. A ratio of 4.28 to 1 is considered within standard limits, and normal anchoring is used in a non-seismic application.

When the height-to-depth ratio exceeds 6 to 1, engineering should review the design to resist overturning. Special anchors, base plates and even overhead ties may need to be used.

Source: Rack Manufacturer's Institute

Warehouse Space Planning & Design: Video Blog #4

2011-04-22T07:50:00.004-05:00

As our video blog series continues Senior Design Specialist Brian Koski shares about the different rack systems for your warehouse.

Click the links below for more information on pallet rack systems:

Push Back | Pallet Flow | Drive In | Selective | More

Product Spotlight: The Starrco Modular Office

2011-04-14T08:31:00.005-05:00

Why Starrco?
Starrco leads the industry with its commitment to Innovative Pre-Engineered Systems.

Three Advantages:
♦ Starrco's modular electric package utilizes commercial grade U.L. listed components. The system only requires a final electrical connection after its installed.
♦ Starrco's Modular HVAC System is completely pre-engineered and modular, after the installation is complete it only requires a final electrical connection.
♦ Starrco manufactures their own door frames. Because the door is the only moving part in Modular construction, its a vital component. The door frames lock into place to form a seemingly welded connection, eliminating any future problems. The ball bearing hinges increases cycle counts and years of problem free operation.

Starrco's commitment to innovative product development has made them a leader in Modular Construction.

Are you planning on adding any enclosures or office space? Get pricing and more information on our Modular Office Web Page.

Pallet Rack Capacity

2011-04-11T16:37:00.005-05:00

How Much Can My Pallet Rack Hold?

Knowing the capacity needed for your product is often overlooked or under estimated. When figuring your pallet rack capacity many variables need to be taken into consideration. Each component has its own capacity rating per manufacturer.

Cross beam capacities are based on uniformly distributed loads per pair of beams. For instance with a 5,000 # beam capacity, your beams are rated for two 2,500 # pallets.

Wire deck capacities are also given under uniformly distributed load ratings. Wire mesh decks are not meant to be direct or point loaded. Wire decking is made to benefit the beam level by adding fall protection and flow through for sprinklers.

Upright frame capacities are based on beam level spacing. The upright frame is only as strong as its weakest point, so capacities are based off the largest area of unsupported column of the frame. Standard frame capacities are based on 48" top of Beam spacing.

If you are interested in learning more about your pallet rack capacities please call 800-722-5908.

Warehouse Layout & Design Helpful Tip

2011-04-08T16:17:00.005-05:00

Problem: Not enough space in the shipping and receiving area.

Sometimes, you can never have enough space at the loading and unloading areas. A common mistake in a good number of warehouses is under estimating the space needed for shipping and receiving.

If product must be handled, sorted, tagged, etc., more space needs to allowed for that area. Not to mention, a forklift needs space to back out from the semi trailer and turn. Throw in staging for outbound orders and you can have a real mess.

Tip: When space planning make sure all of these operations are accounted for when planning the overall space for your shipping and receiving area.

Helpful Warehouse Design Tools:
AK Warehouse Layout & Design Web Page
AK Video Blog Series: Space Planning
Or call 800-722-5908 to speak with a warehouse layout & design expert.

Warehouse Space Planning & Design: Video Blog #3

2011-04-01T14:14:00.005-05:00

As we welcome in April at AK, Senior Design Specialist Brian Koski continues his 5 part video blog series on Warehouse Space Planning & Design. Tip # 3 offers advice on choosing the right forklifts and equipment. For more information call 800-722-5908 or check out our Warehouse Design Page.

Warehouse Space Planning & Design: Video Blog #2

2011-03-15T10:32:00.007-05:00

Welcome to our Warehouse Space Planning & Design Video Blog Tip #2.

Brian Koski a Senior Design Specialist at AK offers tips on warehouse layout & design. Follow this series as Brian shares tips and helpful information about warehouse design. If you are interested in learning more about warehouse layout & design check out our web page: WAREHOUSE DESIGN.

Success Story: Utilizing a Mezzanine to Create More Manufacturing SPACE!

2011-03-08T12:16:00.012-06:00

We recently installed an industrial mezzanine in Maddock, ND that helped a client maximize their existing space by providing an additional manufacturing area. The mezzanine was designed with a custom stairway to stay out of the fork lift aisle. Another feature was the special ResinDek Md to accommodate a 2,000 # capacity straddle truck to move pallets on the mezzanine. The client is very satisfied with the mezzanine and how smooth the installation process went. Check out the pictures below and if you are interested in maximizing your warehouse visit our Industrial Mezzanine web page or call 800-722-5908.

A mezzanine can help you achieve maximum space utilization and efficiency.

Optimize your vertical space! Quality mezzanine storage systems made in the USA.

Success Story: Utilizing a Mezzanine to Create More Manufacturing SPACE!

Warehouse Space Planning & Design

2011-02-28T12:58:00.006-06:00

AK Material Handling Systems Video Blog Series Part #1

The above video is PART #1 of our Warehouse Space Planning & Design Video Blog Series. We will be offering several videos with helpful tips on industrial space planning and design. If you would like more information about warehouse design or would like to speak with a design expert call 800-722-5908 or visit us on the web @ INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSE DESIGN

What Is Double Deep Pallet Rack?

2011-02-21T10:33:00.009-06:00

Double deep pallet rack is a pallet storage system that is used in warehouses to increase storage efficiency and pallet density. Double deep pallet racks consist of two standard selective racks set up back to back creating the double deep pallet storage system. Clients use double-reach or deep reach lift trucks to load and unload pallets from these systems. These double deep racks are commonly designed to set up against a wall or in connection with another double deep section behind it maximizing the floor space. Double deep is often found in warehouses utilizing the LIFO (Last In First Out) inventory rotation with high volume and limited space. Double deep pallet rack systems can also maximize warehouse space by increasing floor space by 60-65%.

Recently AK utilized one of these double deep rack systems to help a client store their long awkward pallets. Click the links below to view some pictures from the project. Or if you are interested in learning more about double deep and would like pricing or more info sent to you use our REQUEST FORM.

Warehouse Storage Double Deep Pallet Rack Project completed by AK Material Handling (Minneapolis, MN).

Keeping Fresh With Pallet Gravity Flow Storage Racks

2011-01-31T10:02:00.008-06:00

We recently completed a gravity flow pallet storage system to help a client maximize their warehouse freezer space while also meeting their pick demands. The system we designed, supplied and installed was a FRAZIER 13 deep pallet flow structural rack with Interroll full width rollers.

The client selected the 13 deep pallet storage option because it allowed them to store exactly one half truck load per pallet row with the ability to store one full truck load (26 pallets) on side by side rows. Because freezer space is so valuable, we designed selective rack for the perimeter of the freezer to store single pallet SKU's and had the LTL shipments being pulled from the other lanes of the pallet flow. Another benefit of this rack system is the FIFO nature of the pallet flow. It allows them to keep the product fresh, and the 13 deep system achieves the high density storage they need for their freezer. This rack system was also designed around their 48" x 48" plastic pallets of frozen baked goods. The use of the full width Interroll roller was needed to accommodate the plastic pallet and its profile of "boards". When designing a 13 deep rack system, we always have the pallet tested for perfection. In this case, we initially thought a wheeled pallet flow track would be the best style of pallet flow track, but the testing proved otherwise. The pallet had slight voids in it that did not allow it to roll smoothly. If you are interested in learning more about Pallet Flow check out our Pallet Flow Rack Page. In addition, Also if you are interested in a pallet flow quotation visit our Pallet Flow Quotes Page

What Is Ridg-u-rak ?

2011-01-27T14:50:00.017-06:00

RIDG-U-RAK is a pallet racking storage system manufacturer located in North East, PA. Ridg-u-rak has been manufacturing pallet storage rack systems for 65 plus years and is a Top 5 roll formed rack manufacturer in the United States. They offer two main styles of selective pallet racking: Teardrop and Slotted Design.

The Ridg-u-rak teardrop design is a universally compatible pallet rack system offering many different frame and beam sizes. With the closure of Excel Storage Products, Ridg-u-rak has stepped in for AK and is able to provide the same vista green and ultra orange color racking once provided by Excel. In most cases Ridg-u-rak beam and frame profiles actually provide a stronger capacity than Excel. As a major stocking distributor for Ridg-u-rak's teardrop design, our in stock sizes offer our clients the perfect match for their old Excel USP rack systems. If you are interested in receiving a quote for Ridg-u-rak teardrop use our quote request form.

The Ridg-u-rak slotted design is a hook and slot style rack system, offering a full line of sizes and profiles. The slotted racking has a patented 6 bend design offering heavy duty capacity. Important note on Ridg-u-rak Slotted racking: Long before beam length standards were around Ridg-u-rak's beam lengths were measured from the inside of the connector hook to the inside of the connector hook. Starting in January 2000 beam lengths changed to include the connector hook in the measurement. IE Before 2000 a 96" Beam was 96 3/8" over the connector hooks now it measures 96" over the connector hooks. For more information check out our Ridg-u-rak Replacement Slotted Beam Sheet.pdf

Video: Increase Warehouse Sanitation

2011-01-19T10:56:00.005-06:00

Looking to increase sanitation on your warehouse rack system? Bottom Beam levels can help you improve sanitation around your warehouse or food processing plant. With a beam level at the bottom of your rack system you are able to run a broom under the rack system keeping it clean and improving sanitation. If you watch the video below you can see that the bottom beam level was place approximately 8 inches off the ground offering sufficient space for someone to clean under it.

New Online Tool: Shelf-Clips.com

2011-01-12T15:23:00.004-06:00

To start off 2011 on the right note, we decided to launch a new online tool called shelf-clips.com. Shelf-clips.com was built to offer clients a solution to their missing or damaged safety and shelf clips. People buy steel shelving and pallet rack on the used market because it is more economical and can offer them the same storage for close to half of the cost of new. The problem is that the buyers rarely go through and count the shelf clips or beam safety pins on their rack before they buy it. Which leads to them searching the internet for hours trying to match up the right clip so they can finish their project. We turn hours into minutes and welcome them to shelf-clips.com your one stop shop for all of your industrial steel shelving clips and pallet rack beam clips.

Click on the above image and if place an order online make sure to mention this blog post before 2/1/11 and you can receive a 10% discount on your order.

Keys To Planning, Locating, and Moving into A New Space Part 3 of 3

2011-01-03T14:00:00.001-06:00

Part # 3 Execution/ Moving...

Once the deal has been signed for the new warehouse, the fun can begin. Moving an existing warehouse can be a challenge. The client needs to minimize interruptions to their operation while getting their new space set up. Their first choice for doing this is making the investment into a whole new rack system that be installed prior to the move. This makes for a much easier move, but more of an investment for equipment. The existing rack system can then be traded in. The second option is to move the existing rack system. This only works if the clear heights are similar. In addition, you must empty all of parts of the rack system in order to tear it down and move it. This requires a lot of planning to keep track of the inventory. The last option is to a phased moved involving some combination of new rack and existing rack. It is much easier to plan a move with some portion of the new warehouse having rack so that there is somewhere to start putting inventory. Any“ left over” rack can be traded in.

For more information on warehouse layout & design call 800-722-5908 or visit our warehouse design page:
http://www.akequipment.com/warehouse_layout_design_MN.html

Top 2010 Moments at AK & a Website Flashback from 2001!

2010-12-29T15:19:00.007-06:00

AK Website Flashback 2001: (compared to the new website)

At AK the new year brings about new goals, high expectations and a high level of excitement to the office. In general, 2010 was a great year for us and we expect the same in 2011.

Team members share some of their most memorable moments of 2010:

Brian K. "My most memorable moment of 2010 was helping the Minnesota Twins open their new Target Field ball park. I enjoyed designing the different storage areas though out the ball park with pallet rack and steel shelving"

Jason K. "My most memorable moment(s) of 2010 would have to be the addition of James and Linda to our team"

Jake K. "I enjoyed the upgrades that were made in our technology and our increased participation in social media"

Linda A. "AK shined on 9/30/10 when there were only hours to coordinate
several truckloads of material out of Excel Storage Products, South Dakota before the doors were closed indefinitely"

AK Material Handling Systems wishes you a very happy and prosperous 2011!

Space Saving Tip: Go Modular

2010-12-15T08:08:00.004-06:00

Save Time & Space Going Modular

Modular drawers are often overlooked when there is a need for high density storage. Too often shelving is the choice when storing small parts with a variety of SKU's. When done correctly one drawer system can take the place of an entire bay or even a run of standard shelving.

Other benefits of using modular drawers are mobility, security, time, and selectivity. These systems can be made to order to your specific needs, sizes, openings and have an array of drawer dividers. The ability to secure your inventory is made easy by simply locking them up.

Free up space and time by looking into this option when you are in need of parts storage.

For more information visit our: Stanley Vidmar Modular Cabinet Page: http://www.akequipment.com/stanleyvidmar.html

Keys To Planning, Locating, and Moving into A New Space Part 2 of 3

2010-12-13T08:31:00.000-06:00

Part # 2 Layout & Property Searching...

Once the baseline measurement of the clients needs have been established, then the search can begin. We take their needs and translate them into square footage based on a given clear height. For example, we can estimate that if a client needs to store 2,000 pallets that they are going to need about 25,000 square feet allowing adequate staging and processing areas. This assumes storing the pallets four high in selective rack system (single deep). Be careful! Four high storage can mean 30’ clear versus 20’ clear for another. In addition, you must understand the effects of the rack system, sprinkler clearances, forklifts, code requirements, etc. Also, for some, high density storage rack systems can be used causing their square footage requirement to decrease. On the opposite end, large or long products can dramatically increase the square footage requirement per unit stored. Understanding all the rack types and options is a critical component to this step. For example, push back rack requires significantly less square footage than selective pallet rack.

Once there are some property choices that meets the clients other criteria, (ie. location, costs), we can actually do a layout to see how a potential rack system will work in it. The shape of the building may prove to be better than another because of the particular aisle widths needed. Building column spacing and dock location may also affect storage counts. If the layout proves worthy, the storage height restrictions should again be reviewed. Important issues such as clearance to the lighting and sprinklers will be key issues. Do not assume that 25’ clear means you can store to 25’. It never happens. No one wants to find out after they sign a lease that their storage capabilities are going to be 25% less than they expected because they aren’t allowed to store over a certain height.

Stay tuned for Part #3 of the series: Execution/ Moving coming soon.

For more information on warehouse layout & design call 800-722-5908 or visit our warehouse design page:
http://www.akequipment.com/warehouse_layout_design_MN.html

FUN FRIDAY has been moved.

2010-12-10T14:23:00.002-06:00

Fun Friday has been moved to our facebook page. Check it out @ AK Facebook Page

Top Five Operational Costs That You Can Avoid:

2010-12-10T14:18:00.002-06:00

Wasted Ceiling Space: Racking that does not maximize your warehouse height.
Excessive Material Movement: Unnecessary moves of product in storage systems.
Not Correctly Utilizing Material Handling Equipment: Improper training leads to employees incorrectly using equipment taking away from the effectiveness of the product.
Improper Inventory Storage: Storing machines and equipment that are not in use and have little or no value to the company.
Unnecessary motion: Movements or equipment that does not add value to the product.

Fun Friday! Pallet Rack Spotting.

2010-12-03T15:02:00.003-06:00

Pallet Rack Spotting...

When Industrial Strength is taken to the next level.

Mailbox Stand made out of Galvanized Pallet Rack.

Monday Mocha: Project Planning Tip

2010-11-26T10:59:00.007-06:00

Project Planning Tip:

If you have plans of completing a pallet rack project before 2011, manufacturing lead times are growing. Now is the time to get your requests in to ensure project completion.

*Stocking distributors can help eliminate product lead times.

Black FUN Friday: Free Calendar Pallet Rack Turkey Find

2010-11-26T09:40:00.009-06:00

Can you help us find all of the turkeys that we have lost in our pallet racks? The first 10 emails to sales@akquipment.com with the correct amount of Turkeys in the photo below will
receive a free 2011 Calender, AK Pen and Light.

* Contestants mailing address must be with in the United States.

Fun Friday: Warehouse Goes Robotic

2010-11-19T09:07:00.002-06:00

Fun Friday: Warehouse Goes Robotic

Keys To Planning, Locating, and Moving into a New Space Part 1 of 3

2010-11-17T14:16:00.009-06:00

Part # 1 Space Planning...

It seems that most architects and other space planning professionals can produce estimates for office space rather quickly. When it comes to the warehouse space, most do not feel comfortable making recommendations or calculations. On top of that, a number of clients do not have the ability or experience to know how to determine the proper amount of warehouse space that they need. This is understandable as most do not have experience in this area.
Here are the steps that we use with our clients whether they are moving, adding on or just want to better utilize the space that they have.
The first step is to find out how the client uses their space. Manufacturing space can be pretty straight forward as most clients know how much they need for machinery and production space. When it comes to storage and warehousing, clients will and should state how many units, usually pallets, they need to accommodate. Surprisingly enough, they may not actually know what this figure is. Sometimes, they want to focus on a square footage number that may or may not be accurate. We will stop them and try to drill down to some hard numbers that we can use to analyze their needs. Again, in a high number of cases it is pallet positions, pick faces, or SKU’s (stock keeping units). Once the baseline is established at their current space, we can also find out what their goals are for their new space. They may be downsizing, planning for growth, taking on a new product line, etc. Again, we will quantify this need in some fashion.
The last step of the initial information gathering is observing how their operation works and the types of material handling equipment they are using or plan to use. In other words, if it is a typical warehouse, we are going to find out what aisle widths work best with their forklifts. In some cases, we find out that clients maybe wasting valuable space on aisles that are much too wide or with a simple upgrade to their forklift fleet can gain significant amounts of storage space.

Stay tuned for Part #2 of the series: Layout and Property Searching coming soon.

For more information on warehouse layout & design call 800-722-5908 or visit our warehouse design page:
http://www.akequipment.com/warehouse_layout_design_MN.html

Monday Mocha: How Many Wire Mesh Decks Do I Need?

2010-11-15T10:19:00.013-06:00

Welcome to our first edition of the "AK Monday Mocha". Our Monday Mocha blog posts will feature helpful information to get your week started on the right note. It will range from general "good to know" pallet rack information to random fun facts about material handling.

Today's Monday Mocha:

When it comes to pallet rack wire mesh decking, we are often asked how many wire decks do I need for my beams? Below is a table to help our clients answer that question.

Beam Level Size with correct stock deck width's.

48" Beam Level- ( 1 ) 46" Wide Deck
92" Beam Level- ( 2 ) 46" Wide Deck
96" Beam Level- ( 2 ) 46" Wide Deck
108" Beam Level- ( 2 ) 52" Wide Deck
120" Beam Level - ( 2 ) 58" Wide Deck
144" Beam Level- ( 3 ) 46" Wide Deck

If you have other size beam give us a call and we can let you know the best sizes for your beams.

Fun Friday: Staying Fit with Pallet Rack

2010-11-12T10:13:00.006-06:00

Happy Friday Everyone.

Not only can you increase your warehouse storage space with pallet racks but it can also be used keep you in shape.

Enjoy your weekend.

Coming Soon: Keys to Planning, Locating and Moving to a New Space.

2010-11-11T16:53:00.002-06:00

Coming Soon....

Move Industrial Space Faster.

A three part series with Keys to Planning, Locating and Moving to a New Space.

Part # 1 Space Planning... It seems that most architects and other space planning professionals can produce estimates for office space rather quickly. When it comes to warehouse space, most do not feel comfortable making recommendations or calculations. Here are the steps that we use with our clients...

Part #2 Layout & Property Searching... Once the baseline measurements have been established then the search can begin. We take our clients needs and translate them into square footage...

Part #3 Execution / Moving... Once the deal for the new warehouse has been signed, the fun can begin...

Fun Friday... Industrial Racks Turned Wine Storage Racks!

2010-11-05T10:40:00.005-05:00

Fun Friday... Industrial Racks Turned Wine Storage Racks!
With a little creativity and some handyman skills our Tennsco rivet shelving was turned into a great efficient wine storage rack. The rack was created with Tennsco Z Line and some 1 x 1 pieces of wood. If you are interested in getting a wine rack of your own I am sure we can share some of their secrets. Enjoy your weekend.

Fun Friday... Pallet Rack Deer Stands?

2010-10-29T14:48:00.006-05:00

It is once again "FUN FRIDAY" here at AK Material Handling and today we would like to continue the pallet rack spotting series with some photos of pallet racking found in the woods of Northern Minnesota. The woods? ? That's right...THE WOODS. These photos were taken of some pallet racks being set up as deer stands. When finished these racks will be complete with an enclosed hunting area along with a ladder. Thank you for the photos and if you have a pallet rack spotting of your own, take a picture and we will feature it on FUN FRIDAY series. Have a great weekend.

*Please note AK Equipment does not endorse or support pallet racking deer stands.

Pallet Rack Creates Guitar Storage Efficiency

2010-10-27T07:42:00.025-05:00

By: Jim Tordoff Guitar Rodeo Company

Guitar Rodeo Company located in Minneapolis, MN was established in 2004 and specializes in sales of Taylor, R Taylor, Santa Cruz, and Benedetto guitars. We are one of the world's largest independent dealers for Taylor Guitars. Our website is www.guitarrodeo.com.

The pallet racking purchased from AK Material Handling replaced the original racks that no longer were up to the task of storing the number of guitars in inventory. Using the old racks meant having two layers of guitars on the top rack, and the space was inefficient. The pallet racking from AK increased the available area and allowed me to have single layers of guitars on each tier.
I am extremely please with the result. I chose AK because of the excellent service and prompt response time from the AK team. Even though my order was small by their standards, they were totally responsive and answered every question quickly. They also helped me choose the correct size by offering some alternatives that I was not aware of but that made sense to choose. The pricing was excellent. I am very, very pleased with the transaction and would recommend anyone to consider AK Material Handling for their racking needs.

Fun Friday! Pallet Rack Spotting.

2010-10-22T16:42:00.004-05:00

It is "FUN FRIDAY" here at AK and we would like to start our own version of the Fun Friday Posts.

At AK pallet rack is always on our minds and when ever someone heads out the door for a vacation, we always remind them be on the look out for some fun pallet rack photos.

A couple months ago one of our employees headed south near the US / Mexico border and was doing some shopping and came across this storage rack system. So he snapped a photo and sent it back to us.

If you find some pallet rack while you are enjoying a vacation we would love to feature it on our Fun Friday posts. Send it in to sales@akequipment.com Enjoy your weekend.

How To Order Pallet Pack Safety Bars.

2010-10-20T16:05:00.005-05:00

We have created the video below to help our clients order the correct pallet rack safety cross bars.

Pallet rack safety bars are also known as pallet supports or pallet cross bars. They are mainly used in selective pallet racking in place of wire mesh decking or 2" x 4" wood and support the pallet on the rack. We recommend two pallet supports per pallet position. Cross bar capacities vary depending on load and shelf size.
There are many styles and manufacturers of rack cross bars including: drop in flush fitting, flanged which fit over the top of the beam, and slotted style which fit into slotted beams.

Helpful information on Pallet Rack Safety Bars:
Standard cross bars fit a 1 5/8" Step beams.
Measurements needed: Step Depth, outside to outside of beam, and inside to inside.
Cross bars can be tek screwed to the front of beams.
Standard Sizes range from 30" to 72" Wide.

10+ Years of Service!

2010-10-08T12:53:00.014-05:00

Congratulations to Account Manager Jerry Fredrickson who has been a part of AK Material Handling team for 10+ Years!

It has been 10+ years since you begun your journey with AK Material Handling, what has been the biggest change at AK since that time?
The team organization of outside sales with inside sales and our internet presence has been the largest contributor to making our organization an exciting, professional material handling provider.

How has the material handling industry changed in that time?
I believe the internet has been a huge change in how company's purchase equipment and look to material handling providers as a valuable resource. This down economy has forced company's to be smarter and offer more service to their customers.

What has been the most memorable material handling moment during your time here at AK?
I have a lot of very good clients, it is the relationships that I have continued to build with them that is the most important thing, significant factor in my sales success.

What is your vision for the future in the industry?
Material handling companies have to pay very close attention to our client's needs and the services they are demanding. We have to be very professional and quick to respond to our clients.

Jerry brings a smile and a very hard working attitude to the AK team on a daily basis. His desire for the industry and his loyalty to his clients has made him a very valuable asset to our team and his clients nationwide. Thank you Jerry!

Does it matter what type of pallet I use in my rack system?

2010-10-06T16:07:00.002-05:00

It can. First let’s talk about the sizes, types, construction, and names of pallets and skids out there. There are CHEP, GMA, postal, 4 way, skids, slave, plastic, wood, plywood, steel, cross-way, foam plastic, Gaylord containers, wire baskets, and 9 legged to name a few terms and styles. On top of that, you could have variations or combinations of the above pallets.

Now, when you use various styles of pallets or sizes of pallets in your operation, it can be a challenge to safely use your selective rack system. To simplify, lets talk about pallet length. The most common length out there is 48”. What do you do with a 36” long skid? Can you use your pallet rack to store it? If the selective rack is the typical 42” depth, the pallet will not rest on the load beams properly. The simple solution would be a wire deck, correct? Well, pallet rack and wire decking are designed to have the load resting on the rack load beams, so be advised. In the situation that your pallet is longer than your pallet rack depth, you must determine what is safe. The recommended pallet overhang is 3”, but this can cause a problem with 4- way pallets if you are not using wire decks. For drive-in, push back and pallet flow systems, variations in width tend to be more critical than variations in length. Again, design of the rack system will dictate your allowable pallet size ranges.

Next, pallet type and material can affect your storage racks. For selective rack, a 9 legged or postal pallet may be able to sit evenly on the load beams. In addition, it may improperly load your wire deck and cause it to dish. For push back and drive-in rack systems, your pallet may not be able to span the arms or carts of the system causing numerous problems. For pallet flow systems, the pallet is absolutely critical to having a successful installation. The key is to have your pallet tested for the proper type of pallet flow rack. (and don’t expect to change the pallet type and have it work!) There are both wheel systems and roller type pallet flow systems that can accommodate most pallets. Although, it must be determined which type, number of brakes, and slope that works best for your pallet and load.

In conclusion, rely upon a pallet rack expert to help you determine the rack system that will work best for your operation and the pallets that you use.

14 Pallets Deep, Now That's High Density Storage!

2010-09-30T15:55:00.017-05:00

Looking to maximize your warehouse with a high density storage rack system?

We have a solution...
A Speedrack Modular Rollback Pallet Storage System.

The Speedrack Modular Rollback Pallet Storage Systems are designed for high density and can store up to 14 pallets deep in one bay. The modular rollback design is similar to other push back pallet racks although no carts are used to store the pallets. The pallets are stored on a modular rollback system in which pallets all move through the rack as a unit instead of individual carts like the push back systems utilize. This eliminates the possibility of individual hang ups and also assures a smooth flowing system. Another feature of the modular system is that multiple size pallets and pallet weights can all be stored on the same lane with effecting the flow of the storage rack.

Greatly increased pallet density
Can store up to 14 pallets deep in a single lane
Pallet Load Weight Capacities can reach up to 3000 lbs
Full Engineering, design, and installation

If you are interested in learning more about our modular rollback pallet storage systems or any of our other pallet storage systems call 800-722-5908 or visit our Pallet Rack Systems Webpage @ http://www.akequipment.com/engineeredsystem.html

Pallet Rack In A Snap!

2010-09-21T08:25:00.004-05:00

Pallet Rack Systems - Easy To Assemble
It's As Easy As 1-2-3 !

Step 1
Choose Frame Size
One Welded Frame. No Assembly Required.
Two Minutes...

Step 2
Choose Beam Size
Bolt less Step Beams.
No Tools Required.
Six Minutes...

Step 3
Place Wire Decks On Beam Levels.
Assembly Completed in Just Minutes!
Ten Minutes....

Pallet Rack Installation Video:

Turning Floor Space into Vertical Cantilever Storage

2010-09-17T10:21:00.011-05:00

Now is the time to turn that floor space into vertical cantilever storage space. Stop wasting your space today and maximize your cube. Cantilever storage racks offer solutions to applications in almost all industries including retail, industrial, warehouses and any where else you may run into uneven loads. Cantilever strives in applications where other rack systems do not. If you are interested in getting a cantilever quote or learning more visit: http://www.akequipment.com/cantilever.html

Top Ten Features of Cantilever Racking

1- Heavy Duty Capacities: constructed of heavy roll-formed steel for maximum strength and durability
2- Double Capacity: Columns can be double punched for single or double sided storage.
3- Fast, Easy, Durable Installation: Designed with durability although they can be moved and rearranged to fit growth and expansion.
4- Quality Finish: Powder Coat Finish with custom colors available.
5- Rigid: Constructed with heavy duty bolts and welds
6- Accessories: Every cantilever unit is custom with many accessory options specific to your application
7- Versatility: Various Arm lengths and capacities along with height increments of 4"
8- Ease & Accessibility: Continuous shelves at different levels (no front columns blocking access)
9- Adjustable Arms: Arms are made for easy adjustment to fit the products being stored
10- Quality: Made from heavy duty roll formed steel.

How To Order Pallet Rack Wire Decks

2010-08-26T10:21:00.022-05:00

Ordering the wrong size pallet rack wire decking can cost your company a lot of money and also be a very frustrating process. To help our clients order the right wire decking the first time around, we have created this checklist titled:

"Important Questions and Dimensions for Ordering Pallet Rack Wire Mesh Decking"

1) What is the pallet rack style, brand or manufacturer?

2) Beam Style (box or step)?

3) Flush (drop in style) or waterfall fit?

4) Type of Finish: (Powder Coat) or (Galvanized)?

5) Capacity rating of your rack ( per pair of your beams)?

6) How are the wire decks going to be loaded?
(Uniformly Distributed Load) (Concentrated Load) (Point Load)

7) Other options?

8) Channel Options:
(Inverted) (no channel flat screen)

9) What type of product is being stored?

10) Important Dimension:

A. Outside to outside of beam:
B. Inside to inside of beam:
C. Top of beam:
D. Vertical height of the step:
E. Width across bottom of beam:
F. Length of beam inside of frame to inside of frame.

If you are looking to buy pallet rack wire decking visit our online catalog http://www.palletracknow.com or Call 800-722-5908
Or if you are interested in learning more about our pallet rack wire mesh decks visit our:
http://www.akequipment.com/palletrackdeck.html

Stop Falling Products; Rack Guard To The Rescue!

2010-08-18T09:44:00.015-05:00

As budget tightening continues, warehouse managers are often told to make due with what they have and rack systems often become maxed out and over loaded. Incorrectly loaded and over sized pallets increase the risk of product damage and also increase the risk of injury. That is, if the rack systems are not equipped with a Rack Guard safety protection system, which is a polypropylene mesh netting that attaches to the back of a pallet rack system creating a durable barrier to contain loose boxes, palletized goods and stacked material. With multiple configurations and tensile strengths it can be is easily customized to fit your rack system and can be easily installed with heavy duty zip ties. Our Rack Guards ship standard LTL and can ship across the nation for a very affordable price. Rack Guard not only protects products from falling onto employees but it also protects products from falling in-between rack systems. Rack Guards polypropylene mesh netting offers a more economical solution to warehouse safety than traditional warehouse woven nets. Not only is this product great for fall protection but it can also be used as: shelf dividers, security fences, conveyor guarding, machine guards and safety end barriers.
For more information visit our website:
http://www.akequipment.com/safetynetting.html
or call 800-722-5908.

Or for quote request use out request form.

AK Celebrates 5 & 10 Year Anniversaries

2010-08-12T06:47:00.019-05:00

Congratulations to Controller Rita G. for 5 Years of Excellent Service!

How did you become a member of the AK Material Handling team?
I became a member of A&K when I was told of a potential opening through my oldest brother, Greg, the IT guru. I had just left a position in public accounting and was ready for a change from 17+ years of "tax seasons". I had only heard good things about "Al" from Greg and the opportunity to come here could not have happened at a better time for me.

Looking back how quick has the 5 years gone by?
The last 5 years have gone too quick but but I love coming into an office where I always have work to do and people I genuinely care about.

What has been the biggest change you have seen at AK over the 5 years you have been here?
The biggest change I have seen over the past 5 years at A&K is the determination of the sales and staff to only look forward when economic changes have threatened our business; our livelihood. As a small business we have had to tighten up early and faster than some larger companies but in doing so we never stopped providing first rate services to our clients. The knowledge of product and professionalism possessed by my co-workers is outstanding - it has allowed us to work with large and small companies that challenge us to be our best. We will always change and adapt but we will never stop the excellence we provide.

What do you enjoy most about being the Controller at AK?
I enjoy the work atmosphere: the people, the surroundings, the attitudes. I also enjoy my job; it can range from ordering lunch to preparing financial statements and everything in between. Never a dull moment and that's what makes it easy to come to work. I'm grateful to be here with these people.

Also... Congratulations to Account Manager Pete B. for 10 Years of Excellent Service!

10 years ago when you joined the AK Material Handling team what were your goals and intentions?
I started out running the warehouse, ordering inventory and managing the service crew, so really just learning the ropes! Over the years my goals have changed. After being promoted into sales my my focus was really to build relationships with new and existing customers and try to help them find solutions for their individual needs. I have never stopped learning.

How have you seen AK grow over the last 10 years?
Dramatically. We have a core group of key people working here that have grown with the company and have changed when needed and stuck with it through changes in the economy and the company. We've put ourselves at the front of the pack as far as marketing, technology and education in our field. Everyone works hard, but still manages to have fun!

How have you changed over the last 10 years?
I've become a better listener and have become more patient.

What is the most rewarding part of your position at AK?
Building relationships with a client is the most rewarding. After that would be following a project from start to finish and ending in success for both my client and myself.

What recommendations or advice do you have for any new hires?
Stick with it, learn as much as you can and have fun doing it!

Are you tired of looking at your ugly warehouse pallet rack?

2010-08-12T06:33:00.011-05:00

Are you tired of looking at your ugly pallet rack and can't afford to have employees scrape old labels off?

We have have the SOLUTION!

We are now featuring a line of placard identification products that solve these very issues. Our spotlight item for this line is our pallet rack placard which simply rolls onto a pallet rack beam and then your labels can be removed or replaced with out leaving behind a mess. These rack placards prevent mislabeled and misidentified racks which also saves you time and money. It is proven that order time and inaccuracy are lowered in pick environments when the racks are clean and labels can be clearly identified. Say good bye to all of your old labeling systems and step into the new style of warehouse labeling, these placards are made to last. The ability to adhere through the most demanding temperatures and conditions show the durability of these placards. Another great feature of these labels are that they can be colored to match your racking offering a new look to your old "ugly" rack system. We are now also featuring this line with our layout and design CAD drawings for clients that are in need of a bar code systems for their products.

To learn more about our pallet rack placard or to have a FREE SAMPLE shipped to you call 800-722-5908.

We are now featuring a full line of industrial labeling products including: Container labels, magnetic labels, container labels, and shelf labeling systems.

Moving Or Expanding Your Warehouse? Top 10 Reasons Why You Need Us!

2010-08-09T14:01:00.005-05:00

Top 10 reasons why we are needed during warehouse moves and expansions.

1. We can help you determine how much space you need before you start looking.

2. We can provide unbiased opinions on your storage rack and forklifts options working with multiple manufacturers.

3. We provide detailed building CAD drawings offering multiple layout and design options.

4. We can offer high density rack options that can reduce your square footage requirements saving you greatly.

5. With close to a Million dollars of new & used pallet rack products in stock, we can rack your warehouse property in days if needed.

6. We can offer our recommendations on your real estate options.

7. We know typical building code requirements.

8. Think up!- Modular Offices, mezzanines.

9. Trade-in- We can work with you on your existing equipment.

10. We know rack!- Cantilever, structural, pushback, pallet flow, selective and we help you determine which style is right for your operations.

For more information on how we can help you call 800-722-5908 or visit our home page @ http://www.akequipment.com.

Tennsco Q Line Steel Shelving Video

2010-07-23T08:07:00.004-05:00

Strong, Versatile, & Cost effective !

-Load capacities of up to 100 lbs per steel shelf.

- Accessories like bin dividers, shelf drawers, side & back panel kits, lockable doors, label holders, and much more to customize your storage system.

- 1" on center adjustable shelf levels.

- Great for storing containers, tools , and packaged items.
800-722-5908
For more information check out our Q line page @:
http://www.akequipment.com/qlinetennscoshelving.html
or visit our industrial shelving page @:
http://www.akequipment.com/steelshelving.html

Can I Lease Pallet Rack and Other Storage Equipment?

2010-07-22T07:37:00.006-05:00

The answer is... Yes you can! There are several options out there to help you rack out your warehouse space while still managing your cash flow.
Here are a few options:
* Strike a deal directly with your pallet rack supplier. If you know that you will only use the rack for a short period of time, it may be possible to come up with an agreement that works for everyone.
** 3rd Party leasing- AK Material Handling offers several options through 3rd party organizations that handle equipment leases. Most end up with you owning the pallet rack.
*** Landlord Financing: In some cases your landlord will be willing and able to incorporate your storage equipment needs into the building lease.

In summary, don’t let your project die due to cash issues. Let us know your situation so we can find the best financing option for you.

Do you want more information on financing? Contact Us. or Call 800-722-5908

Planning a project? Visit our warehouse layout & design page.

AK Donates Used Pallet Racks to Non Profit Org. PCs For People.

2010-07-16T15:06:00.007-05:00

Recently we received a call from Casey Sorenson who was in search of some used pallet racks for

their new facility in Saint Paul, MN. Casey works for PCs for People a non profit organization that gives refurbished computers to low income families located in the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota. Not only does PC's for People offer low income families computers but they also offer training at their facility to other individuals looking to begin a career of their own in fixing computers. They take donated computers 8 years old or newer, clean them up, and install them with windows XP. At times they have had waiting lists of up to 1000 people long in need of their computers. As Casey was explaining PC's for People he also shared that they are a non profit organization and had a very little budget to buy the shelving he was searching for. Casey also asked if a donation was an option and we told him that if he was flexible we would love to help. So we looked around our inventory and found a used rack systems that was perfect for their needs. It would total 13 upright frames and 50 cross beams offering them close to 100' of pallet rack shelving with 2 to 3 levels per section. The shelving will be used to store computer monitors and also to hold their misc parts.

If you have a computer that you would like to donate to
PC's for People visit their website @http://www.pcsforpeople.com/
or
call 651-354-2552 or
email: donate@pcsforpeople.com.

New Lug Style vs Old Teardrop Style Interlake Pallet Racks

2010-07-14T14:19:00.007-05:00

As a distributor of both new & used industrial pallet racking, we are often asked to help our clients identify their warehouse rack systems. Often times we direct our clients to use our online pallet rack guide although sometimes they still need more help. So we decided to create a helpful material handling video. The video below was created to help our clients who have the Interlake manufacturer pallet storage rack systems. This video helps identify the differences between the two systems of new style and old but, also spotlights the compatibility between the two systems. So grab yourself some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy this masterful 1:19 production video and improve your knowledge of Interlake Mecalux industrial pallet racks and let us know what you think.

If you are looking for used Interlake Mecalux Style Pallet Rack contact us @ 800-722-5908 or use our online quote form: http://www.akequipment.com/used_pallet_rack_quote.html

How to Video: Using a Universal Safety Drop Pin for Pallet Rack

2010-07-12T09:14:00.004-05:00

Are you looking for safety clips for your industrial warehouse pallet racking? We can help. The video below displays how to use our universal pallet rack safety clip. We sell these clips online in packs of 50 @ http://www.palletracknow.com/handleit.html or call 800-722-5908.
Also check out our pallet rack safety clip identifier on our pallet rack guide web page: http://www.akequipment.com/pallet_rack_guide.html

Choosing The Right Tennsco Z Line Steel Shelving

2010-07-07T09:39:00.005-05:00

Wondering what Tennsco Z Line Steel Shelving best fits your application?
We can help...

Helpful Links:

Our Industrial Steel Shelving Page: http://www.akequipment.com/steelshelving.html

Our Industrial Steel Shelving Quote: http://www.akequipment.com/request.html

Or call one of our Steel Shelving Experts @ 952-927-4016

More Shelving Videos on our Youtube Channel

10 Things to Consider Before You Buy Industrial Pallet Racks

2010-07-02T10:00:00.005-05:00

1. All cities and states have different building codes when it comes to warehouse pallet rack and storage equipment. So we recommend to get in touch with your city office and learn about your local codes and regulations about warehouse storage and pallet racking before you start looking.

2. When creating a warehouse layout always think about future expansion.

3. Be Prepared, Know the following: your max forklift lift height? The overall dimensions of your pallets, your max pallet weight? ceiling clearance and lead time.

4. Many manufacturer warranties such as ESP Excel Storage Products do not cover resold or transferred products: ex:"All Products manufactured by Excel Storage Products that are still the property of the original Buyer"

5. Not all teardrop pallet racking is compatible.

6. Here is a list of all the RMI Rack Manufactures Institute Certified Pallet Rack manufactures:

Advanced Storage Products, Bulldog Rack, Elite Storage Solutions, Engineered Products, Equipment Boni, Excel Storage Products, Frazier Industrial, Hannibal Industries, Interlake Mecalux Inc, Necochea, Nedcon USA Inc., Ridg-U-Rak Inc, Spacerak - Division of Heartland Steel Products, Speedrack Products Group, Steel King Industries, Twinlode Corporation, Unarco Material Handling, and Wireway Husky Corporation.

7. Pallet Rack Capacities have many variables such as: beam spacing and frame column size so make sure to know the manufacture specs before rating your rack capacity.

8. Take caution at auctions: not all warehouse racking comes with original safety clips and replacements may not be available. Research the brand and style of racking so that you know you can find replacement parts if needed.

9. Many foreign made pallet rack products are sold in the used market.

10. If purchasing USED know that rack manufacturers Paltier and Prest (webb style) are no longer manufacturing pallet racking.

** To learn more about new or used warehouse pallet racking contact us @ 800-722-5908 or email questions to answers@akequipment.com.

Helpful Web pages: New Pallet Rack | Used Pallet Rack | Pallet Rack Systems

Success Story: How CAD Layout & Redesign Helped Maximize a Warehouse

2010-06-23T08:49:00.023-05:00

Recently one of our clients were looking to create a more efficient and effective storage facility by maximizing their current industrial warehouse space.

Details: With the help of one of our warehouse layout and designers and pallet rack specialist they analyzed their entire warehouse operations including their sku's and their three areas of storage: freezer, cooler, and dry storage to find the solution that offers them the most storage in each application.

Concern # 1: They needed to maximize their space by narrowing their aisles.
Solution: They purchased new Crown Lift Trucks so that they could maximize their space starting with narrower forklift aisles.

Concern # 2: : There existing freezer was using standard selective teardrop pallet rack and 2 deep pallet racking.
Solution: They eliminated selective pallet rack from the freezer and placed a three deep push back pallet rack system in to maximize their pallet storage.

Concern # 3: They needed to better utilize their cooler space.
Solution: Two and three deep push back pallet rack was designed to maximize valuable unused cooler space.

Concern # 4: In the dry storage area they needed to best utilize their pallet storage space while meeting the specific needs to certain sku's.
Solution: After designing multiple layout options for the client, they chose to go with many different rack storage systems each specific for different areas of their dry storage area. Standard selective pallet racking was utilized for quick easy access and selectivity to certain sku's while two, three, and four deep push back pallet rack systems were designed to maximize pallet storage in other areas.

Concern # 5: How to best utilize unused space in dock area and above dock doors.
Solution: Three and four deep push back pallet rack systems were designed to run along the walls of the dock area utilizing every available storage area. We also designed a two deep push back system to function over the docks and doors creating a safe and effective way to maximize previously unused space.

Summary: Our client did a excellent job looking at and analyzing all of their data and pallet movement to finalize a complete warehouse redesign to meet their increase demand from their clients. Many layout and designs ideas were created and provided by AK through this process although in the end the client decided which options worked best for their applications and the project was a success!

If you are looking to maximize your current warehouse space give us a call @ 800-722-5908 or email answers@akequipment.com and set up a warehouse maximizer walk through.

Meet the Team!

2010-06-22T16:20:00.009-05:00

Meet some of our AK Material Handling team members:

Minneapolis, MN Warehouse

150+ years of combined material handling service!

Double Up with Double Deep Pallet Rack

2010-06-10T14:05:00.010-05:00

Double deep pallet rack is a basic variation of selective pallet rack storage systems. This is done by doubling up the rows of standard selective pallet racking and using a double deep reach lift truck. The forklift operator places the back pallet into the system first, then placing another pallet in front of it. While selectivity has been reduced to 50%, twice as many pallets are stored. Also, double deep reach trucks require just a minimally wider aisle (10’). Therefore, if your warehouse has SKU’s with multiple pallets, it mat be a good fit.

Double deep storage rack has become a very popular choice in high volume operations since pallets can be stored and retrieved at a fairly quick pace. Double deep systems are growing in popularity due to higher building costs and the more economical cost of high reach double deep narrow aisle trucks. Another reason for its’ growth is that it offers high productivity, good selectivity, reduced equipment damage at a relatively low cost.

Applications: Printing, Food, Manufacturing, Distribution, Staging, Cold Storage

Advantages: High Density Storage, Cost, Selectivity

Disadvantages: Specialized Forklift (Double deep reach truck)

Summary:

50% Selectivity
Up to 40% more storage capacity than selective rack
Same low cost per pallet as selective rack
Less expensive than 2 deep pushback
Same density as 2 deep pushback
Minimal increased lift truck costs
Increased storage capacity
Standard Rack Components can be used
Easily relocated
Easily converted to/from single deep

Protect Your Warehouse Modular In-plant Office Building

2010-06-03T10:52:00.004-05:00

Warehouse modular (in-plant) office buildings have become a popular choice for companies that want to create separation between their warehouse and office space by using a portable structure that has the mobile ﬂexibility and the quick depreciation schedule in comparison to standard hard construction. With this investment many clients forget an important and affordable way to safeguard their newest piece of equipment.
Guard Rail or Barrier Protection.
Not only does this protect and help protect equipment from an actual impact from a fork truck, but this highly visual barrier helps the fork truck operator deﬁne trafﬁc patterns in the facility. Besides your investment and other equipment, these barriers protect your employees who may be working inside the modular office building. We always recommend our clients purchase these barriers when they invest into a modular office because they can save on freight and installation when ordered together. This guarding comes in a wide variety of styles and sizes with both ﬁxed rails and lift-out styles. Custom sizes are available and can be easily field cut to size.

Some Beneﬁts:
•Reduces downtime for equipment and manpower
•Cuts worker compensation claims
•Protects sensitive computer stations and CNC machinery
•Shields personnel in adjacent ofﬁces and break rooms from wall impacts
•Available in a wide variety of sizes
•Directs pedestrian trafﬁc ﬂow
•All products come with necessary anchors and connectors.

Want to learn more about our modular in-plant office protection products? Call 800-722-5908 and keep this in mind on your next safety walk-through! Interested in Modular Office Buildings? visit http://www.akequipment.com/modularoffice.html

AK Welcomes Back a Team Member from Australia

2010-06-02T14:49:00.005-05:00

AK welcomes back inside sales representative Jacob Koski from his trip to Australia. Jake is a valuable eight year veteran the AK Material Handling team who is forklift certified, a pallet rack specialist, and also a Tennsco steel shelving expert.

Below is Jakes welcome back interview.

What were you doing in Australia for a month? I was on vacation of a lifetime visiting family.

What was the most interesting part of the trip? I would have to say the most interesting part of the trip was snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef with wild animals surrounding me. I had to wear a special wet suit to avoid being stung while swimming with the jelly fish.

Did you notice any material handling related things while you were there? While traveling through the city Adelaide it was fascinating to see how other parts of the world incorporate material handling in everyday life from conveyors to distribution. I had the opportunity to see it in action.

What were some things you did while in Australia and what was the most valuable part of your trip to Australia? We went Fishing, Hunting, and Snorkeling but spending quality time with my family tops the list.

Do you feel that your body has completely adjusted to being back in America? No, it's been a few days now and I'm still having trouble falling asleep and I am still waking up at unusual times.

What are the pictures of? The top picture is a waterfall in the Daintree Rain Forest and the bottom photo is the coastline of Port Douglas in the northern part of Australia.

Thanks for sharing about your trip Jake. We are glad to have you back on our team!

AK Helps Second Harvest Heartland Increase Storage Capacity by 60%

2010-05-25T06:31:00.008-05:00

Serving 59 counties in Minnesota and western Wisconsin, Second Harvest Heartland needed to meet the rising demand from food shelves and began with ambitious goals to increase their annual shipments of food from their distribution facility in Maplewood, Minnesota by 10 million pounds. To do this they needed to increase their pallet storage area dramatically. AK worked closely with their management team to maximize their storage capabilities in their freezers, cooler, and dry storage areas. AK also designed a push back pallet rack system over all their dock doors to gain every possible square foot of storage space in their facility. By doing this AK helped them maximize the total number of pallets being stored. Another way they maximized their space was by purchasing a fleet of stand up reach trucks which allowed them to minimize their aisle widths and expand their pallet storage systems using 2, 3, and 4 deep, push back racking. They also utilized standard single deep selective pallet rack where necessary. In summary the project was a huge success and has helped them meet their distribution goal and the growing need of food shelves, soup kitchens, and shelters.

To learn more about Second Harvest Heartland visit their website:
http://www.2harvest.org or their facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/2harvest

To Learn more about Push Back Pallet Rack:
http://www.akequipment.com/palletrackpushback.html

* The above picture is not of Second Harvest

AK Joins the Facebooking Community

2010-05-19T06:37:00.003-05:00

AK has now officially joined the Facebook community. At AK, we understand that if we want to continue becoming an industry leader in the material handling sector we need to utilize all tools available including social media websites. Please visit the links below and connect with us as we join the excitement of social media.

View and connect with our new Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Maple-Grove-MN/AK-Material-Handling-Systems/122677401084771?ref=ts

More Ways to Connect:
Twitter http://twitter.com/MN_Pallet_Rack
Linkedin http://www.linkedin.com/companies/ak-material-handling-systems
Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/45166080@N05/

Need more pallet positions without sacrificing FIFO? Get your warehouse flowing.

2010-05-06T07:51:00.009-05:00

Typical Pallet Flow Lane (Looking into entry end)

Pallet Flow Rack can be used in a wide variety of applications. Most pallet types can be used in pallet flow racking with the correct design. Therefore, if you need FIFO (First In First Out), high density storage, you may want to consider pallet flow rack. Systems can be designed for pallet storage of over 50 pallets deep, although 2 to 12 deep is more typical.

One word of caution!!! Be wary of improperly designed or used systems. Although pallet flow is robust, it requires a good design, a good installation, and decent pallets for proper flow of the pallets. We have seen failures because of improper design of the type of rollers, brakes, entry guides, and/or the supporting pallet rack. In addition, the rack installer must be experienced in installing pallet flow to avoid the dreaded pallet hang-up. Don’t worry, there millions of pallet positions out there that work flawlessly. Lastly, the pallet type must match the design of the pallet flow. In other words, you may not be able to mix and match pallet types and pallet flow styles. Successful installations are designed for a specific type of pallet and weight range.

Manufacturers of pallet flow roller have unique designs which have their strengths and weaknesses. We use our experience to choose and design the best approach for your type of pallet and your operation. Then, a competent rack manufacturer is chosen to provide the supporting structure.

In summary, if you have valuable floor space and need more pallet positions without sacrificing FIFO, pallet flow rack may be the right choice.

Applications: Printing, Food, Manufacturing, Distribution, Staging, Cold Storage

Advantages: FIFO, High Density Storage

Disadvantages: Cost

For more information on pallet flow pallet racking visit:
http://www.akequipment.com/palletrackpalletflow.html

To learn more about other pallet rack storage systems visit:
http://www.akequipment.com/engineeredsystem.html

Take advantage of the height in your warehouse without a forklift. A blog forklift dealers dont want you to read...

2010-04-27T14:29:00.005-05:00

Get rid of My forklift? Well, maybe not entirely. Although this does seem like an intriguing idea. What if you could take advantage of the height in your warehouse or plant and not have to use a forklift. You could eliminate the expense, safety issues, maintenance and training of adding another forklift your fleet. But, how can you store heavy product into a pallet rack system without a forklift or spending the money for an ASRS system?

Two companies have developed low cost alternatives to this question. The both use an integrated crane that accesses the pallet rack. Therefore, a production person who needs their tooling for example, can grab the crane and retrieve their item. No need to locate a forklift.
First, Stanley Vidmar’s Stak Systems offers capacities up to 5,000# and adjustable racks to maximize your storage space. The other is offered by Rig-U-Rak. Their Stacker System utilizes and integrated pallet that engages the upright at whatever height you require. Again, this maximizes your cube! These systems are great for tool, dies, and fixture storage. Also, drums and other items can be stored in these systems in their own designated area, thus eliminating potential safety or damage issues caused by forklifts.

In summary, who wants to hop on a forklift and go 16’ in the air and pick out a wood pallet with a $75,000 die on it? Not me! Don’t make your employees do it either. Consider a stacker system so they can do it quickly and safely. To learn more about stak systems or to speak with one of our stak system designers call 800-722-5908 or visit our Stanley Vidmar page @ http://www.akequipment.com/stanleyvidmar.html

20 Years of Service... Where does the time go?

2010-04-22T14:20:00.010-05:00

This Weeks "Friendly Friday" post features a twenty year veteran of AK Material Handling: Brenda Harrison.

Brenda is a Senior Project Account Coordinator for AK Material Handling Systems.

Brenda how long have you been an employee of AK Material Handling Systems? Hard to believe it's been over 20 years. Where does the time go?

What is the biggest change you have seen in the material handling industry over that time period? Technology, technology, technology! All communication and correspondence was accomplished by using a simple 3-line phone system. If you couldn't reach someone by phone, you hopped in the car to make a personal visit. All documentation; invoices, BOL's (Bill of Ladings), faxes, (you get the idea) all created on a electric typewriter! Warehouse drawings were "sketched" out on grid paper, the list goes on and on. Looking back, I'm not sure how we ever got the job done, but with hard work and long hours, we always did!

How has AK as a company changed over that time period? We have always changed with the times to provide our customers with the quality service they deserve. Upgrading our phone system, incorporating the top of the line computer systems, involving our employees in sales training, etc. Not to just keep current with the times, but AHEAD of the times. The Internet, email, sophisticated drawing programs, are just examples of the tools which have allowed us the communication and efficiency to provide our customers with quality products, competitive pricing and first class service in this demanding Material Handling world.

What has been your most memorable material handling project? I really can't pick just one. Any project I can incorporate my own ideas and design to provide a creative solution for the customer is most rewarding to me. From the very beginning, Al, the owner of A&K has always said "be creative". Although this seems almost to simple to mention, I truly believe, thinking "out of the box" has proven to be our edge over the competition time and time again.

What do you find most rewarding about your position at AK? My dad once told me "enjoy what you do for a living because you will spend most of your life doing so". I can honestly say, the people I work with, the customers and vendors I come in contact with on a daily basis, have allowed me to do exactly that...enjoy life.

When your not performing your Senior Project Account Coordinator responsibilities what do you do in your spare time? Spending time with family and friends has always been important to me. Especially this time year... Golfing, BBQ's, boating, anything to be outside enjoying the summer!

What is Cantilever Racking?

2010-04-21T16:32:00.009-05:00

Cantilever Racking is a storage system designed to store long, awkward, or bulky materials of virtually any length. Unlike any other rack systems cantilever racks offer no vertical obstructions in the storage area. It is made up of the following components:
Bases which anchor the rack system to the floor and also connect to the units upright acting as the main stabilizing component.
Upright Columns which connect to the base and have holes in which the cantilever arms are connected to creating the storage levels. Uprights can be used for single and double sided units.
Arms connect to the upright column and are used to store the product on.
Braces which are used to stabilize the upright columns offering horizontal and diagonal support.
Decking is an option available for certain applications offering a solid shelf level to the cantilever storage arms.

With decking, Cantilever is also used in the storage of odd sized and/or awkward loads such as furniture.

Types of Cantilever Rack (type of steel)
Roll-Formed-lower cost, light to medium duty applications, easily adjustable.
Structural- is used in Heavy Duty, Tall, High Capacity Cantilever Systems

Cantilever Rack Advantages…
*Can be designed to virtually any length, fifty foot (50’) “plus” load lengths
*Open linear storage – no vertical uprights or breaks in the storage level from uprights
*High Weight Capacities
Cantilever Rack Disadvantages…
*Potential for wasting warehouse floor space, when designed or used with a conventional lift truck.
*Cost. Can easily cost 2 to 3 times more than standard selective pallet rack

Applications include the following:
Aluminum sheets, furniture, lumber, Masonite sheets, building material, variable sized materials, wood crates, carpet and vinyl rolls, appliances, bar stock, flake board, large pallets and boxes, doors, tubing, electrical harness, sheet steel, bars, drywall, and piping.

Cantilever Facts:
- The most efficient way to store long and flat materials.
- Can be used as single and double sided storage
- Customized to the product being stored
- Fast and easy storage system
- Can be designed to meet seismic requirements

If you would like to learn more about cantilever rack or to have a cantilever rack designed for your storage facility please call 800-722-5908 or visit our cantilever web page @
http://www.akequipment.com/cantilever.html

AK Welcomes New Team Member

2010-04-12T12:00:00.010-05:00

Position: Warehouse/ Forklift Operator

How did you find out about AK Material Handling and the position available?
From Bill Koski, Our family has been friends for years.
What intrigues you about your new warehouse position at A&K?
Doing different stuff everyday.
Where did the nickname "James" come from?
James is my middle name, we use it to keep things simple with another Josh working here.
Do you have any children?
Yes, My wife and I have a 2 year old son Carson.
Rumor has it that you are an experienced photographer and actually have a couple of your pictures published. Is that True?
Yes that is true. I have done a wedding, senior pictures, been published in three books, and love taking wild life photos. I have also been to Germany and Honduras, and many other states for photography opportunities.
Besides photography do you have any other hobbies or passions?
Yeah I like to go fishing, mudding, watch movies, go camping, and enjoy working on vehicles.
Do you have a life motto?
GO out GO BIG and have a good time doing it!

We are very proud to have James join our team.

AK Material Handling featured for their work with the MN Twins

2010-04-07T10:08:00.006-05:00

Recently AK Material Handling was spotlighted in the MHEDA Edge which is MHEDA's (Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association) cutting edge monthly publication. Each issue's columns are devoted specifically to trucks, storage & handling, engineered systems and general lines.

The article is titled "AK Material Handling Systems helps the Minnesota Twins launch Target Field." and was written to share the in depth step by step process AK went through to help provide the Twins with all of their storage needs.

"Twins Project Manager Ann Roberge knew that she would need lots of pallet rack and shelving. She also knew that she would need a quick, flexible distributor with a great deal of inventory."... "That's where the company's inventory came in handy."

Read the full article @ http://mhedaedge.org :

AK offers special thanks to Dan Vest and the rest of the MHEDA Edge team for the for great article and support.

Why Choose Pallet Rack Wire Mesh Decking Over Wood & Other Substitute Shelving

2010-03-29T13:30:00.015-05:00

As the largest stocking distributor of J&L Wire pallet rack wire mesh decks in the nation, we stock and sell thousands of pallet rack wire mesh decks to clients across the nation. Below we have compiled a list of the features and benefits of wire mesh decking.

Benefits of pallet rack wire mesh decking:

Custom Sizes & Capacities: Wire decking’s versatility also allows you to store full pallet loads and less than pallet loads in the same rack system. Wire decks can be made custom to your rack system ensuring correct load capacities and a perfect fit. Wire decks can be quoted for zero to 8000 lbs applications. Wire mesh can also be created to hold UDL (uniformly distributed loads) or concentrated loads. Mesh patterns can be adjusted to support smaller products and increase capacity.

Multiple Channel Options: Different reinforcement channels offer you a wire deck option for all your rack applications. For example inside waterfall wire decks are used in applications where the front of beam needs to be clear for bar coding. For more channel options visit our pallet rack guide.

Multiple Finishes: including galvanized, powder coated, or electro-zinc plated.

Economical: $$$

Meets Safety and Fire Regulations: Wire decking helps protect your employees from falling objects while also allowing better flow of overhead sprinkler systems if there were ever a fire which can reduce insurance rate and help comply with local fire codes.

Virtually Maintenance Free: means virtually maintenance free.

Easy Installation: Installation is simple and easy. Just drop the decking in and you are off and running.

Light Weight: A standard 42” x 46” wire deck weighs approximately 20 pounds.

Increased Lighting: Wire decking allows overhead light to be better dispersed than wood or steel decking which gives your forklift drivers better visual identification of the products and pallets they are loading and unloading from the rack system.

If you are looking for more information on pallet rack wire mesh decking call 800-722-5908 or visit our wire deck web page @ http://www.akequipment.com/palletrackdeck.html

For a wire deck quote use this link: http://www.akequipment.com/wiredeckform.html

Are Over Sized Footplates Used Only For Seismic Applications?

2010-03-22T10:57:00.003-05:00

Recently a client asked us:

Are over sized footplates used only for seismic applications?

The simple answer is No. But to gain a more in depth answer, we asked some of our industry leading experts and here is what they said.

*Larger pallet rack frame footplates are often used in applications where there is a concern of the rack falling down aisle. Down aisle also meaning tipping sideways down the pallet rack aisle sideways. In this application the larger footplates are used to stabilize the racking offering it additional side way support.

*Large pallet rack frame footplates are also used in applications where there is a concern of the rack falling cross aisle. Cross aisle also meaning tipping forward or backward across the aisle. In this application the larger footplates are used to stabilize the racking offering it additional front to back support.

In conclusion over sized footplates are used in seismic applications and also in warehouse applications where more stability is needed. By using over sized footplates you are basically giving your pallet rack frames steroids, making them stronger and providing more stability to the whole rack system. If you want to learn more about over sized footplates or if you are wondering whether over sized footplates are needed in your warehouse application contact one of our material handling outfitters or call 800-722-5908.

www.akequipment.com

Need More Office Space?- Look UP!

2010-03-15T07:54:00.009-05:00

If you have 17’ clear or more in your building, think modular and think vertical. We have already covered the advantages of using modular offices such cost, flexibility, speed of construction, and lack of construction mess. With two story offices, there are even more advantages.

First, it frees up valuable floor space for other operations. Look above a typical “front” office. Most industrial buildings have single story offices built in 20-30’ clear buildings. There is huge amounts of wasted valuable space. What is your payback if you can capture the use of this space? Or at least don’t continue this trend when you can double your office space per square foot.

Secondly, the flexibility of a modular office cannot be matched by standard construction. Expanding, modifying, or moving your system can easily be done. In addition, individual person offices, conference rooms, break rooms, or I.T. rooms can easily be created. With prefabricated mezzanines, there are even more possibilities. Multi-level structures are even possible to overlook your plant operations.

If you are unsure of your growth, order your one story modular office with load bearing capability. Then, when you need that additional office space, just add the second story! There is some additional cost for the load-bearing component to your first floor, but it will give you flexibility down the road. Even if you don’t need office space, it can be used as a storage mezzanine.

In summary, 2-story modular offices provide fast, efficient solutions to your office needs. Do not waste your valuable space! Modular Office Quote

Helpful Link:

http://www.akequipment.com/modularoffice.html

Why Should I use wire partitions when I can use chain link fencing?......It’s cheaper, right?

2010-03-10T08:40:00.004-06:00

Over their lifetime, wire mesh partitions are less expensive than chain link fencing. They may cost a little more initially (not always as chain link is harder to install) but will save you money over it’s lifetime.

Woven and welded wire partitions can be removed, relocated, and reconfigured when your needs change.
Most wire partition systems allow for easy cutting
The modular design is what allows this flexibility; use it, re-use it, move it around - with ease. But chain link fencing? Once it's up, it's up for good and usually has to be disposed of when you need a change.
Wire partitions are more secure. Bolt cutters can get through a chain link fence. It takes more than that to get into a woven wire partition. They can't be easily climbed like a fence, either. There are no easy foot or handholds in the woven or welded wire panels.
If a partition is damaged, you just remove the old panel and order a new one. If a chain link fence is damaged, you have to replace a large section.
Aesthetics- It does not take much for chain link fencing to not look good. Especially at the floor, it tend to get pushed out and not look good. On the other hand, wire partitions always have a clean finished look with numerous colors and finishes available.
Gates and doors- Wire partition manufacturers such as Folding Guard, WireCrafters, Wireway Husky, Spaceguard, King Wire, Cogan, and Miller Wire provide numerous swing and sliding gates that work nicely and have different locking options.

In conclusion, if you are going to install an interior fencing system and are NEVER going to move, change it, nor care what it looks like then chain link might work for you. Otherwise, wire partitions prove to be the best long term value.

For more information on Wire Partitions or a quote visit:
http://www.akequipment.com/foldingguard.html

Updated Pallet Rack Guide

2010-03-08T13:09:00.003-06:00

Our goal is to provide our clients and others the absolute best pallet rack guide on the internet. We are currently designing the page and adding bits and pieces as we create them. Recently we have added a new & used pallet rack identifier guide (as posted about before), a pallet rack clip identifier, and a how to order pallet rack diagram. Coming soon will be Capacity charts, types of pallet rack systems, styles of wire decking and much more. We are hoping to have the page complete by May of 2010. Keep checking back for more updates. Please email us with any suggestions to:

answers@akequipment.com

http://www.akequipment.com/pallet_rack_guide.html

Also we have recently created a manufacturer literature page complete with videos so please check it out as well.

http://www.akequipment.com/manufacturer_literature.html

Is Drive-In Pallet Racking Still Relevant?

2010-03-03T07:52:00.008-06:00

The answer is Yes! Although pushback pallet rack and pallet flow pallet rack have reduced its’ relevance, Drive In pallet storage can still be a storage solution for your warehouse. But I would suggest consulting with a material handling professional that specializes in engineered pallet rack systems to help you decide what style pallet rack storage system will fit your application best. But, here are a few basic considerations of how it could help your warehousing operation.

“Drive In” Pallet rack, as its’ name implies, is a multiple pallet deep form of storage accomplished by a lift truck driving into an open rack row or lane. Most typically, pallets can be stored from three (3) out to ten (10) “plus” pallets deep. Utilized properly, Drive In will provide a very high level of storage or product density.
For your reference, this is a “FILO” (First In, Last Out) form of storage. If your application is product rotation sensitive then most likely Drive In is not the type of rack best suited for you.

Drive In rack is typically best suited to the following applications:

High Density Requirements: Freezer, coolers and all types of expensive storage environments are the most common.
Revenue Warehousing: Whether it’s Public Warehousing, a “3PL,” a Moving & Storage company or any other type of revenue based storage business, literally anywhere that charges for storage.
“All In, All Out:” Much like you find in most Produce industry applications is virtually ideal.
Low SKU Counts: Where there are far more pallets than there are SKU’s. “W.I.P” (Work In Process) storage of raw materials is just one example.
Slow Moving Product: Say in the instance of a bulk buy of material that you’ll store for longer periods of time. And product that is not conducive to simply stacking on top of each other.
No Space For Storage: Literally, Drive In that provides you an amount storage capacity that you would not have otherwise. Be it less than ideal for handling reasons, you simply require maximum storage.

Advantages:
1. First, there is the cost. Drive-in systems are $50-$90 per pallet position, push back rack and pallet flow are $100-$250 per pallet position.
2.High Density Storage.
3. Maximize vertical height- Drive-in can be designed to be relatively low pro filer compared to pushback and pallet flow rack. On other words, because the rails take up less vertical space, you may get another level of storage into your system.

Disadvantages:
1. Load size & uniformity is a critical requirement.
2. Expense. Can easily average 2 times that of standard selective rack.
3. High maintenance. Due to damage from the lift truck driving in and out.
4. Potential for low productivity and/or labor intensive when not loaded or managed properly.
5. Potential for storage loss due to “honeycombing.”
6. Generally, inflexible and difficult to adjust.

In summary, drive-in pallet rack still has its’ place in this world. Let your material handling professional help you decide if it it fits into your warehouse.

If you would like to learn more about drive in pallet rack systems or if you would like to have some information sent to you, please email answers@akequipment.com or call one of our Drive-In Pallet Rack System Experts @ 800-722-5908.

Helpful Links:

AK Material Handling Drive In Pallet Rack Systems Web Page

www.akequipment.com

Other Pallet Rack Storage Systems

Drive-In_Pallet_Racks Literature.pdf

What is a Material Handling Outfitter ?

2010-02-25T14:25:00.003-06:00

It is a Material Handling Company that provides the expertise, the knowledge, the experience and the skills to guide your company to the next level. If you were to hire an outfitter to climb K2 you would want an outfitter who has been there before, who has a history of successful ascents, who understands the complexities involved in an expedition. Who knows the terrain, understands weather patterns, knows the right equipment to make the trip a success and most importantly is a guide with the experience and the knowledge to make the hard decisions and guide the team safely to its goal.

Becoming involved with a successful material handling outfitter is no different. You want an outfitter who has a history of successful material handling installations, who understands the importance of planning, design, and execution. You want a guide who has the knowledge and the expertise to successfully manage your project, to provide the right equipment and the experience to assist you in finding the right solutions for your material handling needs. You need a guide who is skilled with C.A.D. layout design systems, who can listen and assist you in planning and executing a successful well thought out project. A&K has been there 100’s of times, we have the professional skilled team to get you to your goals to help you be successful in your warehouse and distribution facilities. The next time you plan an expansion for your facility choose the team to lead you successfully to your summit, choose A&K Material Handling Outfitters.

How to Install New or Used Speedrack Pallet Racks

2010-02-22T11:30:00.007-06:00

The video includes the following items:

Speedrack Frame
Speedrack Beam
Speedrack U Bolt Safety Clip

Speedrack Drop Pin

If you need more information or would like to purchase new or used Speedrack pallet rack or Speedrack safety clips call 800-722-5908.

We also have speedrack literature and capacity charts available:
http://www.akequipment.com/manufacturer_literature.html

The Value of a Pallet Rack "Pallet Stop Beam"

2010-02-16T06:30:00.012-06:00

Before we can talk about the value of a pallet rack "pallet stop beam”, we should probably talk about what a pallet stop is and in what applications would you consider using a pallet stop. Although it may seem simple, the explanation is listed right there in the description of it’s very being... pallet STOP. Let me explain.....

Pallet racking provides a primary storage usage for large warehousing, storage and distribution facilities, as well as storage for store and display products in the larger retailing operations. In these types of industries as the size of the facilities increase and the direct access of the public increase, the damage potential due to accidental droppage or improper loading of the pallet racking has also escalated. Using pallet stops within the racking system is just one way to improve and provide the safety barrier needed to prevent pallets from being pushed off the racking while at the same time protecting your valued property from potential damage.

Some applications see damage to the beams due to the drivers loading too close into the racking system, hitting the actual beams with the backrest of the fork truck. Worse yet, the driver may even get the backrest of the fork truck under the beam above and knocking the entire beam out of the system. Besides teaching the drivers the proper way to load and unload the racking, by using a pallet stop this will not be possible. The driver will be forced to STOP, before they get to close to the racking!

In many instances, pallets stops are installed in cooler/freezer applications to protect the wall panels or in back room storage areas to protect the exterior and interior walls from damage. This type of damage can be very costly over time.

Depending on the depth of the storage rack and the size of your pallets will determine what type of pallet stop will be required for your storage system. Pallet stops are installed at the rear of the racking just above the beam level where your pallets/products are stored. Their are two types of stops; the FLUSH pallet stop and the OFFSET pallet stop.

FLUSH pallet stops are typically used when you have a 48” deep pallet within a 48” depth storage system. In this example, the inside face of the beam is flush with the rear of the frame column. We tend to see a flush pallet stop used in the rear of a drive-in system, since there is never a pallet overhang.

OFFSET pallet stops are typically used when you have a pallet of a greater depth then the overall depth of your storage system. ie: an offset pallet stop would be ideal for a 48” deep pallet within a 42” depth storage system. Since pallets typically hang 3” off the front of the beam and 3” off the back of the beam a 3” offset pallet stop is the most commonly used in this application.

So, what is the value of a pallet stop? It really comes down to this... for a minimal investment, incorporating pallet stops within your storage system will provide a safe work environment for your customers and employees, while protecting your inventory and valued property. Isn’t that what all companies value the most? It’s definitely worth considering.

For more information on pallet rack pallet stop beams or to see more CAD drawings visit:
http://www.akequipment.com/Pallet_Stop_Beam.html

Need a quote? or Call 800-722-5908

Do you know your pallet rack brand or style?

2010-02-11T13:25:00.004-06:00

If not we can help. We have created a web page with the most common styles and brands of pallet rack to help you out. We will also be adding a pallet rack clip identifier to this page along with more styles and manufacturers. Stay tuned. Some of the brands included are: Unarco T-Bolt, Unarco II, Speedrack, Paltier, Teardrop, New Style Interlake (lug Style), ridg-u-rak, Prest Webb Style PL1, and more. Visit the new page @ http://www.akequipment.com/pallet_rack_guide.html
You can also use our printable pallet rack brand and style PDF at the bottom of our Shop AK Page: http://www.akequipment.com/shopak.html
Our goal is to continue adding to this page so that it can be your one stop pallet rack informational page.
Keep checking the page for new updates and we will also post them here and on our twitter accounts.
Follow Us.
http://twitter.com/MN_Pallet_Rack
http://twitter.com/PalletRackNow
http://twitter.com/WPRP_PalletRack
http://twitter.com/Palletrackman

Your Guide to Understanding Pallet Rack:
http://www.akequipment.com/pallet_rack_guide.html